Ethanol soon to flow from Mozambique

Sugarcane ethanol will pour out of the US0 million (R4,1 billion) Dombe Ethanol Project in Mozambique within three years. Billed as the largest biofuel project in Africa, and one of the largest in the world, Dombe was initiated by Geneva-based biofuel development company Principle Energy Limited (PEL).
Progress on the project, managed by Durban-based Bosch Projects, is going according to plan. “To date 65ha of seedcane has been planted and 600ha will be planted this year,” said Trevor Rolfe, MD of Principle Capital Africa, a founder of PEL.
“Several tenders have been awarded, in particular for bush clearing and land preparation. The plant construction is due to commence in late 2009 and will be in operation by the second half of 2011.”
On 23 February 2009 the South Californian firm Craton Equity Partners invested US million (R104 million) in PEL. Craton Equity Partners is a “clean tech” fund focusing on bringing to the market technology countering the effect of climate change and environmental degradation. Their investment will contribute to the working capital needs of the Dombe Project, including the construction of an ethanol production facility, the cultivation of up to 20 000ha of cane and the expansion of housing, clinics and schools. The project will employ roughly 2 000 locals.
Dombe forecasts 2,5 million tons of sugarcane will be converted to 65 million gallons of ethanol and about 13 megawatts of exportable electrical power. The site has water for irrigation, fertile soil and a climate well-suited to sugar cane. The project aims to be environmentally sustainable with a minimum carbon footprint.
Craton said the PEL model demonstrates the next generation of biofuel development, using one of the most efficient sources of ethanol to produce badly needed fuel for the EU and the US.
PEL and Craton stressed they support Mozambique’s efforts to ensure only a small percentage of the country’s arable land was used for biofuel production – Robyn Joubert