Kosep seeks pellets, tightens specifications

摘要

South Korean state-controlled utility Korea South East Power (Kosep) has specified stricter sustainability criteria of wood pellets and tightened pellet quality specifications in its latest spate of tenders seeking a combined 237,000t of biomass fuel supplies. Kosep has also specified a distinction in supplies between wood pellets and pellet from woody biomass SRF – a move that has been anticipated by market participants. Kosep stipulates that those bidding in the tender to supply wood pellets must have FSC, PEFC, GGL or KWood forest certification. Bidders are requested to submit quality certification within six months of the tender closing date through an independent inspection company, approved by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (Kolas). Forest certification was not previously factored into Korean power generators’ pellet supply contracts. While sustainability of biomass supplies has been a salient issue in the European market, this is the first time that it has been included in South Korean tenders.