Kenya is exploring the use of sugarcane ethanol as part of a new strategy aimed at lowering fuel costs, reducing dependence on imported oil and reviving the struggling sugar industry.
The government announced the plans during the 68th International Sugar Organization Seminar held in Diani, where leaders pointed to Brazil’s successful sugarcane-to-fuel programme as a model Kenya could adopt.
During the function, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the government intends to introduce significant policies and legislative changes aimed at encouraging the production of ethanol in the country.
According to Kindiki, the government will begin the process of reviewing some laws including the Sugar Act in order to institutionalize the production of ethanol in the country’s economic and legal system.
Kindiki further indicated that the government would collaborate with Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority in coming up with fuel blending policies which may eventually lead to mixing of ethanol and petrol in the local market.
This shows that the government is now seeing sugarcane as not only a food source but also a potential energy source.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the country can no longer focus only on sugar production while ignoring the broader economic opportunities available within the sugarcane value chain.
From presentations delivered at the conference, it has been discovered that fuel from ethanol is currently cheaper compared to ordinary gasoline since over four billion barrels of fuel have been substituted with ethanol within the last five decades in Brazil.
The Kenyan authorities now think that such an initiative could protect their country from fluctuating global fuel prices and lessen pressure on foreign currency needed to import oil products.
Apart from offering cheap energy, ethanol can be considered as a source of employment for the poor farmers practicing cane cultivation in remote areas.
With full implementation of the project, there will be new business opportunities for cane farmers since they will have better chances of paying off their debts through production of ethanol fuel.
The deliberations in Diani follow a trend whereby the country is looking for means of reducing the cost of fuel and ensuring sustainability of local industries.
