Today, the Queensland Government announced funding for the Australian Sugar Milling Council’s (ASMC) $660,000 project for renewable energy feasibility work in Queensland sugar mills. The project is the first step to potential investments in regional Queensland for more sugar mill cogeneration capacity, with the potential for up to one gigawatt of installed capacity.
“Utilising our full capacity and available feedstock, sugar mills have the potential to provide one gigawatt of installed renewable electricity capacity – this could potentially power 850,000 homes, ensuring an affordable and reliable source of renewable electricity for Queenslanders”,
said Mr Jannik Olejas, Chair of the ASMC.
The ASMC is to undertake feasibility work to advance the Queensland sector’s ability to provide more renewable electricity through greater investment in cogeneration, including maximising the availability of feedstock, and establishing an energy efficiency and electrification agenda across the sector.
Funded through the Queensland Government’s Bioenergy Fund, the studies will evaluate the competitiveness of sugar milling cogeneration, assess the regulatory and operational risks associated with the additional investment required and better understand the economics of pelletising bagasse (sugar by-product used to generate electricity) and securing additional feedstock supply.
“The expansion of cogeneration and bioenergy production by Queensland’s sugar mills has the potential to add thousands of new jobs, maintain the 20,000 jobs we already support, and significantly increase our industry’s current $4.4 billion annual contribution to the Queensland economy. We commend the Queensland Government for progressing this important project”, said Mr Ash Salardini, CEO of the ASMC.
Media contact: Ash Salardini 0490785390
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About the Australian Sugar Milling Council: The Australian Sugar Milling Council is the peak industry body for the Australian sugar milling sector – contributing $4.4 billion annually to the Australian economy and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. The ASMC works with its members, industry stakeholders, other industry representatives and government to develop and promote policies that enhance the sustainability, viability and economic contribution of the sugar industry in Australia.