Eight German firms are willing to invest in biomass and biogas projects.

Martial Beck, Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said that the German firms are visiting the Philippines  under the "renewables - Made in Germany" program of the German government to support the promotion of renewable technologies as a feasible alternative to conventional power generation in the country.

In 2011, Department of Energy data shows that biomass and biofuels accounted for only 13 percent of the country’s total primary energy supply.  

Beck stressed that there is a huge potential in the Philippines for bio-power projects given the country’s agricultural nature.

Werner Siemers, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH consultant for energy from biomass and biogas, said that the rising prices of fossil fuel coupled with the increased demand for energy should bring a stronger need for the Philippines to explore alternative energy sources.

The eight German companies seeking for local partnerships include Vastani GmbH, Eckrohrkessel GmbH, Envitec Biogas AG, GTP Solutions GmbH, Binder GmbH, Ascentec GmbH, Novis GmbH and Pregobello GmbH.

The firms will provide local partners with the necessary experience, technologies and solutions in the biomass and biogas sector.

Source: Malaya; Business; 30 January 2013