South Korea to expand marine biomass resources

The South Korean (SK) government said it will increase investments in biomass energy production. Within the next 10 years, the government said it will spend 365.3 billion won (US$ 290.52 million) to create new seaweed forests that can help increase the country’s ability to produce biomass energy. The plan calls for 35,000 hectares of seaweed forest to be created in waters in the east and south coasts near the country’s volcanic Jeju Island. It is estimated that up to 1.56 billion liters of ethanol per year can be produced by 2020. At present the country has the capability to produce 38 million liters of marine biomass. “In the first stage, 77.9 billion won (US$62.02 million) will be spent up till 2013, including 10 billion won (US$7.95 million) set aside for this year, with private investment being sought for commercial biomass production that can start after 2017,” said Kang Joon-suk, head of the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ fishery resources bureau. He said that seaweed forests can also help reduce the country’s carbon dioxide output by 10.8 million tons. (April 23, 2009)