Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc.'s factory in Cagayan de Oro will soon be powered by coconut scraps. I don't know about you, but that makes me want some Pepsi and Malibu Rum.
The new 2-megawatt biomass-fired power plant is being developed by PowerSource Energy Services Inc and is estimated to cost around P200 million.
The beverage firm said the power plant will use coconut shells and husks and other coconut residues as fuel feedstock.
"This will result in additional income and livelihood support to farmers in neighboring districts," Pepsi said.
PowerSource founder and CEO Frederick LaCroix said developing Pepsi-Cola's power plant is one of its "major corporate steps" as the beverage firm is one of the leading manufacturers of soft drinks.
According to commercial director Gabby Gabinete, Pepsi-Cola expects to save an average of 20 percent in its operating costs with the new biomass-fired power plant.
Gabinete went on to say that Peps-Cola plans to develop partnerships with other renewable energy developers for the 11- to 15-MW requirements of its 11 manufacturing plants.
Now if Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and other soda manufacturers can just remove the unnecessary cancer-causing caramel coloring, they'll be on their way to much more eco and health-friendly rum and cokes.
[Photo: chaos80129/Flickr]
Surinder Saini
said on February 24, 2011