LAHORE: Convener Sugar-cane Grower Association and Energy Expert Javaid Malik said that about 2,000 megawatt electricity could be produced by up-gradation of power plants, already working at sugar industries in different places.
He said that most of sugar mills in the country were using low pressure boiler technology in the plants which produced only one megawatt electricity from 12 tons of steam whereas by installing high pressure boilers, four tons of steam would be consumed for one MW electricity which made a big difference of 300 percent.
He said that at present sugar mills were using ‘bagasse’ (matter left after crushing sugarcane for juice) as fuel to run their boilers which cost expansive and it could be used as paper pulp or for making hardboard and chipboard while, he added high pressure boilers consumed filter mud which was three percent of total crushing of sugarcane.
He was of the view that by installing these new high pressure boilers, sugar industry could produce more energy and it could be helpful in efforts of the government for reduction of energy crises.
Javaid appealed the prime minister and chief ministers to encourage sugar industry to produce electricity as there was enough potential in the industry to help the government in this regard.