Expert in biomass
One spearhead in the production of sustainable energy is power generation using biomass. Biomass combustion is CO2-neutral since the amount of CO2 released with this type of combustion is equal to the amount absorbed during the growth of crops that supply biomass, regardless of whether this is wood waste or wood chips (from manufacturing or forest management), rice chaff, or coffee or cocoa bean shells.
No. 1 in biomass
Essent’s Amercentrale now burns more biomass than any other power plant in Europe. In this power plant we burn biomass and coal simultaneously. In fact, our biomass power plant in Cuijk only burns wood chips as biomass. This power plant supplies Green Power to approximately 46,000 households.
Certification
Essent carefully examines the origins of biomass: clean fuel must have clean origins. We therefore use the Green Gold Standard for our procurement of solid biomass (wood, coffee bean shells, etc.). The Green Gold Label is an independent quality mark. The Gold Standard requirements must be validated and verified by organisations accredited under the UN Climate Treaty.
Objectives
In 2006 we committed ourselves to achieving a share of 75% biomass certified to the Green Gold Label by 2011. With 33% in 2006, 48% in 2007, 68% in 2008 and 73% in 2009, we are well on track with this commitment.