SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR BIOENERGY PRODUCTION – SABIOP

Technical description

In 2009 the Government of Lebanon has committed itself during the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to increase its Renewable Energy shares to 12% by 2020, followed by the development of the Policy Paper for the Electricity Sector and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan Koura, the region covered by SABioP and situated in North Lebanon presents high potentials for bioenergy production from:

Its agriculture lands covering 6,393 ha and constituting 32% of its total surface.
Its forests and other wooded and shrub lands covering around 6,000 ha.

The surface area of olive groves in the region of Koura covers 5,496 ha, i.e. 86% of total agriculture land in the district, with 2 Million trees planted that constitute around 16.6% of the total olive trees planted in Lebanon. Funded by the European Union (EU) as part of the EU Regional SUDEP Program which encompasses 12 projects in 6 countries around the Mediterranean, SABioP project was designed to fall under these national and regional frameworks

Objectives

Global Objective: The project aims at implementing a sustainable activity for biofuel production, i.e. biomass briquettes production from pruning residues of olive groves and public forests, in order to support the Koura Municipalities Union (KMU) in facing challenges related to energy sustainability

Specific Objectives:

Increasing biomass use as renewable energy source for heating purposes as a substitute for fossil fuel.
Creating a sustainable renewable energy industry for the benefits of the local population of the KMU and beyond replicable in other local authorities.
Improving economic status of residents of KMU through the creation of a green economic sector.
Raising awareness on renewable energy under the climate change and sustainable development scopes, with a special emphasis on the biomass component.

Expected results

An overview of the renewable energy sector in Lebanon and the main stakeholders and networks involved in is obtained with a special focus on bioenergy production. Major challenges, gaps and risks are identified, and conclusions are drawn
The demonstration plant is constructed, permanent and seasonal jobs are created and briquettes are produced
Biomass briquettes are distributed: Fossil fuels used for heating are replaced by biomass briquettes, acceptance of briquettes and willingness to switch from fossil fuels to biomass is evaluated
Replicability potentials of the action are evaluated and solid guidelines to implement similar actions are issued
Project results are disseminated and awareness of local community regarding sustainable development, climate change, and renewable energy usage is increased

Partners/Stakeholders

Financing Scheme

Cost of the project : 749 954 Euros
European Union : 599 963 Euros (80%)
Koura Municipalities Union: 41 600 Euros (6%)
University of Balamand: 108 390 Euros (14%)

Planning

Duration of realization of the project : 36 months

Contact persons

Mr. Karim Boukarim | E: karimboukarim@hotmail.com | P: +961 695 52 00 / +961 695 52 01
Mrs. Sabine Saba | Project coordinator | E: sabine.saba@balamand.edu.lb | P: +961 6 930 257 / +961 6 930 250