A Ugandan initiative bagged the prestigious Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. Kampala Jellitone Suppliers Ltd was recognized for Avoided Deforestation, supported by the Waterloo Foundation, for producing non-char biomass briquettes made from agricultural waste.
130 tons of briquettes sold every month reduce deforestation and saves about 6.1 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of briquettes used.
KJS was tapped for “transforming unwanted agricultural waste into a sustainable energy source.”
Processing of commercial crops generates large volumes of biomass residues including rice and peanut husks, coffee pulp and maize stalks.
KJS is a coffee processing business that recognized the potential for converting this waste into a clean fuel.
Market demand was so strong that they started producing and selling briquettes made from the residues along with improved stoves that burn the briquettes more cleanly and efficiently.
These products are now used by thousands of cooks throughout Uganda and the business is set to grow.
The company is currently selling about 130 tons of briquettes every month to 31 schools, universities and hospitals for cooking, and to five factories for producing heat.
Source – Blackstar News, June 12, 2009
