An evaluation of the socio-economic impact of timber production with and without the inclusion of biomass energy production

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The discussion on climate change is leading to a re-evaluation of tree plantations in SouthAfrica; prompting the adoption of forest bioenergy system as one of the cost effective'carbon mitigation options'. In an analysis of this changing paradigm, emphasis wasplaced on the socio-economic aspects of integrated commercial tree plantations and forestbioenergy systems with special attention to harvest residues recovery for bioelectricityproduction and construction and operation of a bioelectricity plant. The study alsoexplored the direct and indirect benefits that adjacent communities derive from treeplantations in South Africa in order to determine the potential impact of integrated timberand bioelectricity production on rural livelihood and conventional forestry operations.Structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used in randomly samplingtwelve villages on Mondi tree plantations in the Piet Retief and Iswepe areas of SouthAfrica. Six villages from each area were selected; and a systematic random sampling often households per village was carried out. The possibility of using harvest residues fromfinal clear felling from these plantations for bioelectricity production was examined. Thestudy developed and described a scenario for a five megawatt bioelectricity generationfacility, requiring an annual volume of 19,569.85 dry tonnes of residues as feedstock forits operation.The study revealed that adjacent rural communities to Mondi plantations in Piet Retiefand Iswepe areas enjoy direct benefits such as employment opportunities, utilization ofharvest residues, utilization of non-timber resources, and free accommodation. Indirectbenefits that these communities enjoy include: free farmland and graze-land and varioussocial benefits. Issues of concern and dislike such as: lack of electricity; poor health andsanitation and transportation problems were also identified.Using NPV and IRR, the study estimated the economic impacts of integrated pulpwoodand bioelectricity production, compared to conventional pulpwood production operation.The study concluded that integrated pulpwood and harvest residue recovery forbioelectricity production is a profitable means of producing renewable energy. Theapproach was found to increase the profitability of conventional forest operations.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University