Location: Kurunegala, Sri Lanka Client: Biomass Group Asia Development Bank Project Description: Biomass Group is developing a series of 10MW biomass-fired power plants under the new independent power laws in Sri Lanka. The primary biomass fuel is Gliricidia, a rapidly growing, short-rotation tree that is found growing wild throughout Sri Lanka and is grown by plantations as a shade tree and soil improver and by smallholders for “live fencing”, support for other crops, animal fodder and fertiliser. The majority of Sri Lanka is farmed by smallholders, and Biomass Group is organising the smallholders to grow a combination of Gliricidia, Vanilla and Pepper (that use the tree’s trunk as support) with the objective of materially increasing their incomes, raising the standard of farming practices and in the process making available a virtually limitless source of commercial biomass for energy generation. ARC’s Role: ARC was appointed as Owner’s Engineer in September 2011. ARC carried out a full engineering and commercial feasibility study for the development of a series of 10MW gliricidia-fired power plants utilising the gliricidia resource being developed by the client. The analysis included review of all the local factors, including grid, despatch, electricity laws, proximity to fuel, logistics and processing. ARC produced a performance specification for the plant and assessed primary equipment suppliers, EPC contractor interest and local civil engineering, construction and erection capabilities. ARC also contributed to an ADB-sponsored report for site selection, produced and maintained the project financing model and supported discussions with lenders and ECAs. ARC is currently assisting with financing the project ARC Team: The Oxford office lead the ARC team, supported by the Brisbane office and ARC engineers from the UK.

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