Belize to launch undertaking to make biofuel from seaweed clogging Caribbean coasts.
Belize is growing a pilot undertaking to transform the lots of foul-smelling sargassum seaweed swamping its pristine seashores into biofuel, its prime minister mentioned in a press release printed by regional Caribbean bloc CARICOM.
Many Caribbean international locations rely economically on drawing vacationers from around the globe to their white sand seashores, however since 2010 heaps of rotting seaweed have been massing on the shores for causes scientists don’t but absolutely perceive however suspect are associated to local weather change.
Floating sargassum offers shelter and meals for marine animals however because it washes ashore it could actually smother ecological habitats and begins to rot, changing into dangerous to people.
Belize Prime Minister John Briceno mentioned within the assertion the $50 million facility, results of a public-private partnership with German firm Variodin, would convert municipal strong waste and sargassum into diesel gas replacements.
The power could possibly be scaled up with extra financing, he added, saying it could signal an influence buy settlement (PPA) for vitality generated from the plant.
CARICOM mentioned:
The sargassum seaweed invasion (is) inflicting financial, social and environmental wreckage throughout Belize and the Caribbean.
CARICOM mentioned, citing estimates the area spends $120 million a 12 months to gather and get rid of it.
“Elimination is a vicious cycle of unending sargassum, a cycle that removes the seaweed but additionally the sand, inflicting additional injury to the shoreline,” it added, noting that 24 million tons landed on Caribbean coasts final 12 months – hitting tourism, the fishing business and folks’s well being.
Briceno mentioned that whereas full mitigation is not doable, management is inside attain.
John Briceno, mentioned:
Analysis carried out reveals that conversion of sargassum into the Belize vitality combine is a viable answer to the issue.
He mentioned, with out detailing when the plant can be operational.
READ the most recent information shaping the biofuels market at Biofuels Central
Belize to launch undertaking to make biofuel from seaweed clogging Caribbean coasts, October 3, 2023
