Italy-headed bulk handling technology specialists Bedeschi S.p.A has revealed that it has been selected by France-headed independent renewable energy provider Albioma SA to provide a turnkey wood pellet unloading, storage, and discharge solution at the Port of La Réunion in La Réunion.
As announced in December 2020, Albioma has begun a major coal-to biomass conversion project at its Bois-Rouge power plant in La Réunion. The existing boilers are being converted from “bagasse and coal” to run fully on biomass.
The Bois-Rouge facility currently accounts for more than 20 percent of the island’s electrical power supply, and Albioma will transition from coal to 100 percent biomass combustion by the end of 2023 by using imported wood pellets instead of coal during the off-season.
The Albioma pellet terminal installation at the Port of La Réunion will enable the company to unload and store the imported wood pellets from vessels.
Once completed Bois-Rouge will increase the renewable energy share of the total energy mix in La Réunion, from 35 percent to 51 percent.
Bedeschi has been awarded the contract, the value of which has not been disclosed, to provide a turnkey wood pellet unloading, storage, and discharge facility at the Port of La Réunion compliant with the “strictest environmental standards” regarding dust emissions, and noise level.
Bedeschi services will be realized on a turnkey basis, and the scope of supply includes two eco-hoppers, belt conveyors with a flow capacity of 1 200 m3 per hour for transporting wood pellets to two 45 000 tonne storage domes.
Moreover, Bedeschi will supply the dome underground discharge conveyors systems with a capacity of 1 000 m3 per hour to load the trucks. Bedeschi will also guarantee “continuous and prompt field assistance” to support Albioma in the realization of the project.
