Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org
August 25, 2009, Dhaka: Using efficient and clean Energy in the brick making sector today received a boost with the signing of 2 agreements between the Infrastructure Finance and Development Corporation Limited (IIDFC) with the Government of Denmark and the World Bank respectively. The agreements will pave the way for purchasing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from 20 energy efficient Hybrid Hoffman brick kilns (HHK) at various stages of production and construction.
The HHKs use 50 percent less coal than the regular brick kilns. The coal fired HKKs will reduce green house gas emissions and other air pollutants. Therefore, the air quality in the densely populated areas around Dhaka would improve. The project involves a community benefits plan ensuring social improvement for the employees in the brick making sector such as making first aid room with regular visit by a medical practitioner, sanitary facilities and safety gears available.
“These agreements are hugely important as Bangladesh adopts new technologies that are better for the environment and particularly that improve air quality”. said Mr. Robert Floyd, Acting Country Director, World Bank Bangladesh.
Brick making in Bangladesh is a highly energy-intensive and carbon-emitting activity and is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh, estimated to be around 3 million tons of CO2 annually.
The World Bank and Denmark will buy 189,000 and 60,000 emission reductions respectively. IIDFCL will act as the overall agent for the 20 brick kiln owners to sell the emission reductions. “The HHK owners can now earn revenues from sources - making and selling bricks and generating emission reductions and at the same time earn foreign exchange for the country. We are hopeful that this scheme will encourage other brick kiln owners to adopt HHK technology which offers multiple benefits”, said Mr. Md. Matiul Islam, Chairman of IIDFCL “we are proud to be associated with this pioneering project.”
“Denmark is delighted to participate in this project. It shows how the CDM mechanism can not only ensure greenhouse gas reductions but also lead to sustainable development through social and environmental improvements in the host area.” said Ms. Ulla Blatt Bendtsen, Deputy Programme Director, Danish Energy Agency “This is important to keep in mind ahead of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Denmark at the end of the year”.
The HHK design combines a highly efficient kiln technology. Furthermore, wet clay and pulverized coal are mixed together when the brick is being made. The wet bricks are then first dried in a drying chamber using waste heat from the firing chamber. The dried bricks are then loaded into the firing chamber. In the firing chamber, the coal inside of the dry bricks then ignites and bakes the bricks. The combined use of waste heat and the internal combustion of coal reduce coal consumption per brick and green house gas emissions.
For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd
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