Jatropha - Getting Energy without killing the climate

In spite of our hydroelectric power plant we still have to rely on a diesel generator. Every year at the end of the dry season lack of water forces us to stop the power station and start the diesel. This doesn't only mean spending a lot of money, but also emitting carbon dioxide, the climate killer number one.

So we decided to change to "green energy". In September 2007, two months before the rains start, we sowed Jatropha. When the rains start the seedlings are being moved to a larger field. Their fruits, which they will bear after three years, yield an oil suitable for generating electric energy.

When producing their oil, the plants draw carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air, even some more than is being emitted during burning the oil later. So in total generating electricity from Jatropha oil causes zero emission (or even negative emission) of carbon dioxide and thus does not contribute to the climate change.