Bamboo for bioenergy a viable option in Indonesia

In Indonesia, bamboo is being looked at as a sustainable alternative bioenergy source, especially considering the country’s palm oil for biofuel being attached for deforestation and other impacts. Researchers from Australia’s RMIT University and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) consider bamboo a viable alternative since it grows fast, has a long root system, can grow on degraded land, and is easy to maintain since it requires little watering or fertilizers.

The researchers also say bamboo’s long root system can also help control erosion and retain water and its leaf litter can improve soil fertility. Clean Power Indonesia (CPI) said bamboo is an economically viable source of bioenergy for Indonesia and allows for decentralized energy production since the country is made up of thousands of islands which may not be connected to the national power grid. That is why they set up pilot bamboo power plants on the remote Mentawai islands that are bringing electricity to about 1,200 households as of right now.