Auction set for assets of biomass power plant in Hawaii

A biomass-fired power station and activated carbon processing facility, formerly owned by Big Island Carbon, is to be auctioned off., by order of the US Bankruptcy Court.

The live webcast auction will be conducted by Tiger Group's Remarketing Services Division and Aaron Equipment Company.

Assets to be sold include process, plant support, laboratory/testing, maintenance/shop, and electrical equipment; several pre-engineered metal buildings; and office furniture and equipment.

The sale is being conducted under the direction of bankruptcy trustee Charles A. Stanziale of McCarter and English.

The plant, based in Waimea, Hawaii, was originally developed by Denham Capital Management to 'crush and char macadamia nutshells before activating them in a green, non-chemical manner', according to a statement from Tiger Group. The on-site biomass power plant supported the facility with energy generated from pyrolysis oil synthesised by the process.

Around $40 million (€29 million) was invested in the project before access to funding stopped and the plant was unable to begin full production. Big Island Carbon filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in November 2012.