The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (Inbar) and China are attempting to incorporate bamboo as a biogas and replacement for firewood. The plant is one of the fastest-growing and produces large amounts of biomass with tropical bamboo harvested after three years.
Bamboo charcoal is made through burning the plant’s kilns (or bark), and technology is currently being developed to produce the fuel on a large scale. Chinese partners including the Nanjing Forestry University and Wenzhao Bamboo Charcoal Co. will be over the technology transfer with China dominating the global platform with an estimated $1 billion a year in the production and use of bamboo charcoal.
Ghana is pursuing this sector with the “Bamboo as Sustainable Biomass Energy” initiative underway. Funded by the EU with €1.66 million with Inbar providing 20% of the budget costs, partners to the project will include the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Bamboo and Rattan Development Program. Over 300 micro-small enterprises have been established with over 2,000 farmers cultivating bamboo as well as charcoal production. About 7,000 residences are expected to use bamboo charcoal as firewood by the end of 2014.
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