Sugar crop shortages threaten Vietnam's bagasse biomass plans
Plans by the Vietnamese Tay Ninh Sugar Co to build a second 50-70 MW biomass-fired power plant are under threat as a result of sugar cane shortages in the country. Tay Ninh needs up to 1.2 million tonnes of raw cane per year, but at present can only purchase around 800,000 tonnes, leaving the plant running at 66% of its maximum at best.
Droughts in the Central Highlands and southern provinces have struck cane crops, leaving utilities short of raw materials.
KCP Vietnam Sugar Company in southern Phu Yen province has also reportedly decided to delay the construction of a 6 MW, $3 million second generation plant, partly over fuel supply issues.