Ethiopia is one of the leading countries in the world with huge potential of biomass. For instance last year, the nation produced 130,188 tonnes of molasses and 924,439 tonnes of bagasse from the sugar factories in the country. And currently, the country is on preparations to launch a roadmap to utilize the sugar byproduct and other biomass potentials massively. In addition to the vast agricultural practices, huge forest coverage and organic waste from the largest livestock makes the country potential source of biomass, according to experts in the area.
Picture illustrates different ecological systems for biomass origins: short rotation forestry, corn and sugarcane and managed forestry.
Broadening biofuel consumption and environmental protection would pave ways towards developing a sustainable economic development. It is cheaper and has less impact on environment compared to the widely used fuel worldwide.
Last October, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn held discussions with experts comprised from Policy Study and Research Center, Ethiopian Science Academy, Ethiopian Sugar Corporation and Universities on bio-refinery development roadmap.
On the discussion, advisor to the prime minster Dr. Kassu Yilala said that preparing a roadmap to utilize the sugar byproduct and biofuel is fundamental to facilitate and support the nation’s development endeavors. Joining the ever growing and worldwide commercializing bio-refinery sector is a great success to a country to build up on a sustained development tool.
According to him, the roadmap is on a process of preparation and will be launched in the near future after conducting a robust feasibility assessment on its implementation. He also added that discussions will be held on how to create a zero pollution bio-refinery eco-industrials at every sugar development projects in advance.
Presenting a research on the roadmap, Addis Ababa University Faculty of Technology Prof. Eng. Belay Woldeyes said that industry-university linkage is important to utilize the sector.
Working effectively on bio-refinery pays off to the overall national development strategies; besides promoting Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE), it supports the agriculture, construction and other sectors.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Industry State Minister Mebrahtu Meles (PhD) said that less carbon emission is the major agenda of the country and it has continued promoting Climate Resilient Green Economic Development Strategy. He added that 400 million tree seedlings that would play a dominant role along the biomass sector are available throughout the country. The country has also huge sugarcane factories in ten corridors; this would be a great potential to produce molasses byproduct known as ethanol.
The mixture of ethanol with the common fuel is valuable to reduce carbon emission to the environment by substituting the dominant fuel consumption with the aviation industry and road transport sector.
In fact Ethiopia has already embarked upon building more ethanol processing factories from sugar factories byproducts [molasses] in the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II), according to him.
“If we do not utilize the agricultural waste, it is a liability because it will emit huge carbon emission and causes largest pollution to the environment. At the same time, it is a wealth if we utilize it properly,” Dr. Mebrahtu said.
The mega industrial parks in the country are all eco-industrial parks since they encourage zero waste discharge [solid, liquid or gases]. They are solely established with no waste emission and fully treated to support going in line with sustainable green economy development. And this is a great manifestation of Ethiopia’s strive towards green economic development.
The country aspires to collect most of the biomass from the agricultural waste. Cereal crop byproducts including sesame, coffee and sugarcane all generates huge waste. “As agriculture peaks its production and productivity through mechanized irrigation and technology system there will be huge waste which will be processed and utilized for energy and other biomaterials in the future.
“We have identified 17 agriculture growth corridors in the country. Therefore, the agricultural and sugarcane waste is going to be collected from these corridors and the necessary treatment will be held here,” Dr. Mebrahtu added.
Recently, Ethiopian Airlines and the United Nations umbrella organization the ‘Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials’ (RSB) signed a partnership agreement to work together on aviation bio-fuel and support the CRGE. The airlines Chief Financial Officer Meseret Bitew told The Ethiopian Herald that the agreement is an important milestone to implement the airline’s pro-environment project and support green economic activities.
Currently, utilizing bioful for airlines have two benefits, one is cutting fuel price which is a major expense of airlines accounting 30-40 percent, and the other is promoting environmental friendly economy.
According to him, the agreement is part of the airline’s corporate social responsibilities to protect environmental damages.