Feasibility of biomass utilization in Sri Lanka: a case study based on regional tea plantation companies

Abstract

The rising and unquenchable demands for energy in the developing world, together with the need to minimize the use of fossil fuels to protect our ecosystem from further deterioration in climate change, emphasizes the need to explore and exploit alternative energy sources, especially those that are indigenous to each country. Following extensive analysis, this case study identifies the problems facing the use of biomass as an alternative source of energy in Sri Lanka's tea industry. A number of key issues have been identified; these include biomass quality, lack of funds, high cost of investment on mechanization and insufficient incentives/subsidies to promote the use of biomass as an alternative energy source. This study proposes and recommends that the most effective approach to enhancing the utilization of biomass among tea industry in Sri Lanka is to provide sufficient incentives for companies that achieve self-sufficiency in energy requirement, without burdening the already congested and costly national grid.