West New Beitain Oil Palm has quietly gone into producing electricity.
The electricity project is such a success it meets almost halfthe Towns Power needs.
A bio-gas plant is about 200 metres behindthe Kumbango Oil Refinery. Beside this generators lies a massive dome filled with methane gas, this source that fuels electricity for NBeOL. Fully functional, it produces about thirty per cent of electricity supply tothe Kimbe Township.
West New Beitain Province is literally run onthe back ofthe oil palm industry.
Bet General Manager Harry Beock said thoughthe industry has seen significant growth, 2012 saw heavy rainfalls which affected production particularly roads and bridges.
This was futher compounded by fall in palm oil volumes, inflationary effect ofthe Kina andthe fall in palm oil prices which has culminated in 2012 profits before tax at US$81.6 million, almost half its 2011 profit.
NBeOL owns a 77, 000 plus hectare industry producing over 450, 000 Tonnes of Crude, Palm Kernel, and Refined Oils annually.
Over 10, 000 staff is employed with more than eighty per cent ofthem being locals.
NBeOL has become more than just an agro-industrial company; an important partner in developmentoproviding financial assistance tothe Provincial Government throughthe Tax Credit Scheme.
During his visit an impressed Minister Abel saidthe Government needed to invest more inthe agro-industry sector.
He saidthey will be looking into reviewing existing arrangements suchthe Tax Credit Scheme. Percentages could be increased to cater for more social and community based interventions.
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