Pig farming doesn't just mean selling pork: biogas power generation at 5 yuan per kWh, and selling dung, mud and residue to petrochemical and Taifa brings extra profits

The "Plan to Promote Biogas Power Generation at Pig Farms" is about to be launched! Starting next year, the ceiling on "low-interest loans for biogas power generation" will be raised from 10 million to 30 million, and pig farmers or energy companies can apply for a 1.04% low-interest loan to install or repair equipment; the "biogas power generation feed-in tariff" will be raised from 3.92 yuan per kWh to 5.0087 yuan per kWh.

"For us pig farmers, treating waste water is the most important thing; biogas power generation can only be considered added value." Of the more than 7,600 pig farms across Taiwan, China, only 31 have installed biogas generators, only 0.004%, and the vast majority of pig farmers are still waiting to see; but some pig farmers say that if the pig farming business is to stride forward proudly, biogas power generation may be a way out, "We need to let everyone know that pig farming can also achieve energy recycling and sustainability."

At present, about 31 pig farms have invested in biogas power generation, with a total of about 310,000 pigs; the Council of Agriculture has called for coaching 1 million pigs into biogas power generation by the end of next year; and by 2020 it aims to reach the target of 2.5 million pigs.

Cross-industry integration of pig farming and energy

The second Zhang Lin Su-mei Livestock Farm has been operating biogas power generation since the end of June this year. Person in charge Zhang Chong-xing said the actual results are not yet very clear, and the benefits still need to be observed over time, "We simply want to treat pig farming wastewater."

"Many pig farmers are still waiting to see, but we are willing to take the lead!" Xiangpu Company, which operates a pig farm, also plans to invest in biogas power generation next year, with an initial estimate of 10 million yuan in funding. Xiangpu Company head Wu Kun-min said he hopes that after investing in biogas power generation, the pig farming business can stride forward proudly.

Wu Kun-min said talks are currently under way with energy companies. "In the future, renewable energy matters will be left to professional energy companies; we just need to focus on raising pigs."