Marsh gas replaces wood in rural areas, use of green fuel rising

THE traditional wood fire in rural China is gradually being replaced by one fuelled by cleaner, greener marsh gas as by the end of 2001, over 10 million rural households nationwide were using marsh gas and some 400 counties were developing their marsh gas energy resources.  

In south-west China's Yunnan Province, for instance, the number of rural households using marsh gas reached 800,000 by the end of last year, including 180,000 which converted to the new fuel under a provincial government programme.  

Marsh gas is a more environmentally-friendly energy source produced by fermenting stalks in airtight vats. It can be used for lighting and cooking. In a liquid form, it is also suitable as livestock feed and its residue can be used as fertiliser.  

By using marsh gas, Yunnan Province is able to save 2.4 million tonnes of firewood each year, equivalent to about 40,000ha of forest or 2 million tonnes of coal.  

The replacement fuel can also save each rural household US$60 to US$96 (RM228 to RM365) on annual energy bills. It generates an overall profit of more than US$72mil (RM273.6mil).  

Other types of clean energy that are growing in popularity in China include solar energy and wind power.  

According to a national development programme for marsh gas, another 11 million rural households will be able to use the alternative energy source by the end of 2005. –China Daily

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