Coal briquetting in Haiti: A market and business assessment
The investigation evaluated potential market size, financial viability, consumer acceptance, and the government policy role in promoting the manufacture and sale of briquettes in Haiti. Our results show a large and growing charcoal market in Port-au-Prince of 100,000 to 120,000 tonnes per year in 1985, much larger than previous estimates. This would support a 50,000 tonne per year coal briquetting plant. Wood users buying in lots of 100 pieces or less would provide a smaller, secondary market of about 6000 tonnes of charcoal equivalent per year. The size and competitive nature of the current charcoal transportation, wholesale, and retail distribution chain make it easily capable of distributing the coal briquettes. We investigated three coal briquetting options, each based on a different coal source: (1) Maissade lignite, (2) L'Azile lignite, and (3) imported coal. Financial analyses compare capital and operating costs with potential returns. Results indicate that the Maissade lignite is not economically viable in competition with charcoal at current charcoal prices. Both the L'Azile and imported coal options hold more promise. The investment incentives provided by Haitian government are very favorable to a coal briquetting venture. An increased tax on charcoal, currently priced below its social cost, is recommended.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6378343
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-10379; ON: DE87011951
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BRIQUETS
MANUFACTURING
COAL
MARKET
HAITI
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMICS
RECOMMENDATIONS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GREATER ANTILLES
HISPANIOLA
ISLANDS
MATERIALS
SOLID FUELS
WEST INDIES
294001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal
015000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects