The use of sweet sorghum as a renewable energy source (feedstock) to produce ethanol for mixing with petrol at 10% ratio is a novel scientific idea initiated and being implemented by the Global Biofuels Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria, as an agro-industrial project in the country.
With headquarters in Lagos, this is the second site of the Biofuels Projects in Nigeria (following that already started in Arigidi, Ondo State) concerned with positive energy, which have two stages: feasibility and project stages. The feasibility stage has been completed and approved by the Board. In the project stage, which is the on-going and continuous aspect, have three major areas: i. Feedstock (sweet sorghum) production, ii. Ethanol Refinery Complex, iii. Life Camp for staff.
Significant progress has been made in the area of feedstock production. His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Olusegun Oni, with very strong belief in the biofuel’s project using sweet sorghum, has allocated a 11,000ha cultivable land area around Ilemeso in the Oye Local Government Area. He also graciously provided services and assistance of his Government for use by the Global Biofuels Ltd. in the development of the project. As a follow-up to the Governor’s gesture, the Obadu of Ilemeso, HRH Oba David Adegboyega Oyewunmi, without wasting anytime, informed the honorable and good people of Ilemeso about the positive development. He presented to his people and discussed the several benefits and gains that will come to the people of Ilemeso, the Ilemeso Town itself and the whole of Ekiti State. All the Chiefs, Community Leaders and Quarter Heads have agreed to participate in this extremely beneficial agro-allied industry.
As at now, 5.0ha farmland bush (in the savanna agro-ecological area of the state) has been cleared, ploughed and ridged. Planting is being completed using two varieties. Their agronomic and field performances will be monitored, observations recorded and data compiled for development of feedstock (sweet sorghum) production database for Ekiti. In the 2nd season of this 2008 crop year, the feedstock hectarage is planned to expand to 50ha, and upscaled to 300ha in the 1st cropping season of 2009. By the end of 2nd season of 2009, in the next 18 months, total 3000ha of sweet sorghum feedstock will be harvested to feed the ethanol refinery for crushing, clarification of juice and fermentation into Ethanol. The first cup of Ethanol refined from the Ekiti Refinery is expected to come off by December 2009/January 2010!! We all should team up and look forward to this great agro-industrial achievement in Ekiti State!!!
The initial 2 varieties of sweet sorghum to be produced for feedstock have come from PRAJ in India. Two or 3 more improved varieties, developed by the Global Biofuels Ltd. from selections among 11 local cultivars collected by IAR (Institute for Agricultural Research) Samaru, Nigeria, will be added to the feedstock varieties production in all 7 participating Nigerian States.
Meanwhile, building plans and engineering works for the Refinery and Life Camp is expected to start in July 2009, after that of the pioneer state (in the use of sweet sorghum feedstock in ethanol production) of Ondo in Akoko LGA is commissioned. The refinery will have three sections:
i. the feedstock crushing factory to produce the sugary juice.
ii. the fermentation and refining sections that convert the sugar into ethanol, and
iii. the co-generation plant that utilizes the bagasse (by-product from the crushed sweet sorghum stalks) to:
a) fuel the furnaces that generates electrical energy usable by the communities in the project, surrounding areas/villages and the state government.
b) waste effluent for fertilizer usable in the production farm. This source of fertilizer will also be complemented by using crop rotation (of legume crops like cowpeas and groundnuts) strategies which will provide:
1. bio-fertilizer from activities of the nitrogen fixing bacteria nodules.
2. Soil improving bio-fertilizer by ploughing back into the soil all crop residues left in the field after harvesting the legume grains, which also provide high protein foods and extra cash income to the communities.
When properly managed, the tons of shredded green leaves obtained during harvest when preparing the feedstock for crushing can be a very valuable animal feed (as forage). Another source of cash income (and meat/milk food source) from the biofuels project!!
Our Expected Impacts from the Biofuel Project include:
Employment of about 8000 people in each participating state. Reduction of urban migration from villages and small communities in participating states. Continuous production of sweet sorghum feedstock-based-ethanol (a positive energy initiative) in the country: a novel and unique approach in Nigeria and Africa. Improved and better living conditions of peoples, households and communities in and around the project areas by provision of electricity power and cash income. Contribute to reduction in the quantity of petrol being imported by using the Nigeria-made renewable sweet sorghum-based-ethanol for blending with petrol upto 10% (E10 Petrol or Gasohol). Enhance Nigeria’s trade in Carbon Credit by reducing its gaseous CO2 emissions by using blended petrol and the sweet sorghum-based ethanol production approach Contribute to Nigeria’s achievement of the E10 requirement of UN Kyoto Agreement by 2010 Successful and significant example of public-private partnerships in Nigeria’s agro-industrial development especially for ‘positive and renewable energy. Influencing Nigeria’s entrepreneurs in the development of novel ideas and their successful implementation through such wide and diverse partnerships initiated by Global Biofuels Ltd. Expansion into 5 or 6 surrounding states of Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Kaduna; 2 States (Ondo and Ekiti States) are already being impacted through their strong participation.Developed and Presented by:
Professor A. Babatunde Obilana
Head/Coordinator (Feedstock Production Group)
Global Biofuels Ltd
Tel: +234-8033010966
Email: babaobilana@yahoo.com
abobilana@globalbiofuelsltd.co.
July 10, 2008. |