Sustainable
Feedstock
A nucleus farm and out-grower programs produce sustainable feedstock.
Biorefinery
The biorefinery converts sustainable feedstock into low-carbon renewable fuel and power.
Sales &
Distribution
Renewable fuel and power are distributed to regional customers.
Sustainable Feedstock
Biorefinery
Fuelling Africa's Growth
Bioenergy
Bioenergy projects decarbonise the transportation and power sectors and create substantial benefits for farmers and the national economy.
Nucleus Farm
The nucleus farm produces sustainable feedstock for the biorefinery and high-quality planting material for the out-grower programs.
The nucleus farm supplies sustainable feedstock to the biorefinery. It also supports the out-growers and local small scale farmers by providing high-quality seeds and planting materials, training programs and the knowledge transfer of best sustainable agricultural practices.
Sustainable Feedstock:
-
Sugarcane
-
Cassava
-
Oilseeds
-
Agricultural waste
Renewable Fuel
The biorefinery converts sustainable feedstock into renewable fuel and other by-products.
Typically, our biorefineries have an annual production capacity of approximately 100 million of renewable fuel (the equivalent of 7.9 million barrels of petroleum):
-
Bioethanol (anhydrous ethyl alcohol v/v 99.6%)
-
Biodiesel
Our renewable fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide) by up to 80%. They are blended with fossil fuel and retailed through conventional fuel pumps at retail refuelling stations in the following blending ratios:
-
Petrol (E5, E10, E20 or E85)
-
Diesel (B5, B20 or B100
Out-Growers
Out-grower programs are a core component of our projects that deliver economic empowerment for small-scale farmers and contribute to the rural development of our host communities.
At the beginning of each season, the company supplies the out-growers with planting materials and agricultural inputs. We undertake to buy all of the feedstock produced at a pre-agreed price.
Our extension officers support the out-growers throughout the year with onsite advice and monitor for compliance with our food security policies.
We offer our out-growers structured training and knowledge transfer programs on our nucleus farm, and business and technical support from other development organisations and NGOs.
Renewable Power
Agricultural waste from the renewable fuel process is converted into carbon neutral power.
Waste biomass is converted into low-carbon baseload power using anaerobic digestion or thermal conversion.
Bioenergy is available 24*7 and offsets the variability of other renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind, and is vital to maintain stability of electricity networks and grids.
Sales & Distribution
Renewable fuel and power is sold to domestic customers and exported.
Renewable fuel is distributed to regional fuel depots where it is blended into the fuel supply chain. Renewable fuel is also exported as a bulk cargo to Europe.
Renewable power is evacuated to the national power grid, and supplied to local customers and communities connected via our own mini-grids.
Future Fuels
Bioenergy will support the future transition to hydrogen and electrification.
Sunbird has a development roadmap to produce future renewable fuels, including; hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green ammonia.
The first step will be to produce green hydrogen from our excess renewable power for early adopters, particularly the extractive mining industries switching to fuel cell vehicles for their underground mining operations.
Delivering for all Stakeholders
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Renewable fuel and power produced from bioenergy substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Security
Domestic production of renewable energy ensures reliable supply and insulates from price shocks.
Import Substitution
Reduced importation of fuel reduces foreign exchange and redirects funds into the domestic economy.
Job Creation
New skilled jobs created in administration, logistics, maintenance, operations, process engineering and R&D.
Economic Opportuniites
Associated out-grower programs create substantial economic opportunities for small-scale farmers.
Economic Multipler
Increased infrastructure and local wealth contributes to rural development and poverty alleviation.