KESC to develop World’s Largest Biogas Project in Pakistan

Karachi Electric Supply Company, as part of its fuel diversification, green electricity generation and sustainable development vision, is planning the development of one of the world’s largest Bio Waste to Energy Project of its kind near the Landhi cattle colony situated in Karachi, said a statement issued by the company.

This plant is likely to have the potential of generating up to 22 MW of electricity fueled from biogas alone.

A localized Biogas plant is a socio-economically sustainable venture and reliable in comparison to wind or solar, which are vulnerable to extraneous variables, biggest being weather conditions. The Landhi Biogas project in Karachi will not only generate up to 22MW of green power but will also be producing up to 300 tons/day (tpd) of organic fertilizer as a meaningful by product.

This organic fertiliser has special application in place of eroded soil which has lost it’s utility and where standard urea fertilizer won't be effective. In addition to the above, this eco-friendly energy unit will also earn a significant amount of carbon credits, thereby making this Project economically viable.

Under this sustainable, renewable energy project, up to 4,200 tons of bio-degradable waste will be collected on a daily basis largely from cattle farms in Landhi (feedstock) and organic food waste from industries, food outlets and wholesale markets (co substrates) throughout Karachi.

Under the signed memorandum with Karachi Dairy Farmers Association in December last year, the Association would provide 3,500 to 4,000 tons of cattle waste on a daily basis to KESC to be used as feedstock to produce biogas required for electricity generation.

This landmark step will facilitate waste collection studies, project implementation and rollout of many socio-economic initiatives in the Landhi area of Karachi.

KESC has also signed an agreement with biogas technology providers M/s Highmark Renewables (HRR Canada) for onsite technical studies (Phase I) leading to project plant design, which now stand completed.

During May to July 2011, HRR conducted on-site feasibility analysis using HRR’s patented technology to produce biogas.

The initial trial runs have demonstrated that the customized ‘recipe’ and feed plan are feasible, yielding significant amounts of biogas during the trial run. Currently, KESC is moving into the Phase II of the project.

This phase entails activities which include land development, and developing, waste collection mechanisms, Gold standard carbon credits, formation of strategic partnerships and financial close.

Furthermore, KESC is looking for ways to engage private and public sector entities for provision of benefits to the residents and workers of the Landhi Cattle Colony.

At the moment a ‘social needs assessment’ is in progress and going forward, the project team is looking towards evolving a mechanism to ensure that the benefits can be provided to the society in a sustainable fashion.

KESC is looking forward to working with the local / city government and leading national and international NGOs, for developing a mechanism to successfully roll out this and other similar CSR initiatives.

Documentary (Video) on the, Landhi Cattle Colony Bio Gas project: