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Press Release

Africa’s Newest Ethanol Plant a Model for Other Developing Countries

June 16, 2009 – Toronto - The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance praised the Sudanese government today for their efforts to build a sustainable biofuels industry in that country. The Sudanese government opened its first ethanol plant today that will produce 65 million litres of ethanol and will expand to 200 mlpy within two years.

The Sudanese government is an investor in the first plant, which will use by products from the local sugar mill as a feedstock. The Sudanese government has an aggressive strategy to expand their sugar production from 800,000 tons per year to over 10 million tons per year. This production could support both new sugar exports and approximately 18 new ethanol plants.

While Sudan does produce some oil domestically, the country relies on significant oil imports to satisfy energy requirements. The ethanol and sugar expansion plans would not only bring critical economic development to the southern region of the Sudan it would alleviate the crippling impacts of increasing oil prices on the net importer of oil.

“This is a sound sustainable model for energy security and economic development,” said Global Renewable Fuels Alliance spokesperson, Bliss Baker, “The plan will require significant and scarce investment dollars and a continued commitment from the national government to be completely successful,” added Baker.

“This is certainly a model that many developing countries can copy. With ever increasing oil prices and the world moving towards biofuels, the opportunities have never been better for developing countries,” said Baker.

Sudan, as an example, has 86 million hectares of available and arable land with only 20% of it being used today. That is an area twice the size of California and three times the size of the UK.

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuels friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65% of the global biofuels production from 43 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, the Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.

Contact: Mr. Bliss Baker
Work: 416-847-6497
Mobile: 647-309-0058
Email: info@globalrfa.org