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Feasibility Assessment of Converting Sugar Mills to Bioenergy Production in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Manoel Regis Lima Verde Leal

    (Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), P.O. Box 6192, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil)

  • João Guilherme Dal Belo Leite

    (Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Planning (Nipe/Unicamp), Rua Cora Coralina 330, Campinas 13083-896, Brazil
    Federal University of the Southern Frontier (UFFS), Av. Fernando Machado 108E, P.O. Box 181, Chapecó 89802-112, Brazil)

  • Mateus Ferreira Chagas

    (Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), P.O. Box 6192, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil)

  • Rui Da Maia

    (Technical University of Mozambique (UDM), Av. Albert Lithuli 418/38, Maputo, Mozambique)

  • Luís Augusto Barbosa Cortez

    (School of Agriculture Engineering (Feagri/Unicamp), Av. Cândido Rondon 501, Campinas 13083-875, Brazil)

Abstract

World sugar production has consistently overrun demand in the past five years. Moreover, in 2017 the European Sugar Regime will expire, ending the quota system and preferential sugar prices, largely affecting small producers, particularly in Africa. Diversification emerges as an option for sugar-oriented mills. Two evident alternatives are ethanol and electricity production that allow better use of molasses and cane fibers, respectively. Molasses is the cheapest feedstock for ethanol production, while the cane fibers—in the form of bagasse—are readily available at the mill. The transition from sugar to sugar, ethanol and electricity may require substantial investment capital, yet our results show that significant progress can start at relatively small cost. In this work, we use simulations to explore the impact of ethanol and electricity production in an existing sugar mill in Mozambique. In spite of the large amounts of energy obtained from ambitious scenarios, such as Ethanol-2 and Ethanol/EE, molasses-based ethanol (Ethanol-1 scenario) seems more attractive in economical and infrastructural terms. High opportunity costs for molasses, low oil prices and enabling institutional conditions, such as mandatory blending mandates, to promote bioenergy remain a challenge.

Suggested Citation

  • Manoel Regis Lima Verde Leal & João Guilherme Dal Belo Leite & Mateus Ferreira Chagas & Rui Da Maia & Luís Augusto Barbosa Cortez, 2016. "Feasibility Assessment of Converting Sugar Mills to Bioenergy Production in Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-10, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:6:y:2016:i:3:p:45-:d:77751
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hagelberg, G. B. & Harris, S. A., 1976. "Pluralism and uncertainty in the world sugar economy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 1(4), pages 271-285, August.
    2. Harris, Simon, 1987. "Current issues in the world sugar economy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 127-145, May.
    3. van Berkum, Siemen & Roza, Pim & van Tongeren, Frank W., 2005. "Impacts of the EU sugar policy reforms on developing countries," Report Series 29139, Wageningen University and Research Center, Agricultural Economics Research Institute.
    4. Amigun, Bamikole & Musango, Josephine Kaviti & Stafford, William, 2011. "Biofuels and sustainability in Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1360-1372, February.
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    1. Röder, Mirjam & Stolz, Nico & Thornley, Patricia, 2017. "Sweet energy – Bioenergy integration pathways for sugarcane residues. A case study of Nkomazi, District of Mpumalanga, South Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1302-1310.
    2. Maurício Roberto Cherubin & João Luís Nunes Carvalho & Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri & Luiz Augusto Horta Nogueira & Glaucia Mendes Souza & Heitor Cantarella, 2021. "Land Use and Management Effects on Sustainable Sugarcane-Derived Bioenergy," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, January.

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