Key Points

• Fiji Airways is working with The Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited and Lee Enterprises Consulting to investigate the possibility of producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Fiji using local resources.
• This ADB-funded project will create economic opportunities for local communities and support sustainable aviation, reducing carbon emissions in the Pacific.
• The study will look at using sugarcane byproducts like molasses, bagasse and biomass as feedstocks for SAF production and Fiji’s potential to be a leader in fuel innovation.

Fiji Airways is working with The Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited (FSC) and Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Fiji.

This partnership will support sustainable aviation and agriculture in the Pacific and create new economic opportunities for local farmers and communities.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project will investigate a full-scale SAF production model in Fiji using local resources, international expertise and Fiji’s national airline. The study will look at converting sugarcane and its byproducts like molasses, sugar, bagasse and biomass into ethanol that can be blended into SAF.

Partners for a Sustainable Future

The project involves:

Lee Enterprises Consulting

A global biofuels and alternative energy consultancy, LEC will lead the feasibility study on converting bagasse, sugar, cane juice and molasses into ethanol-based SAF. The team will look at various technological pathways to enable alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) production, a proven method for producing SAF.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited

As the largest sugar milling company in the South Pacific, FSC will provide sugarcane-based feedstocks, a renewable and sustainable biomass source for SAF production.

Fiji Airways

The national airline is looking to reduce its carbon footprint and set an example for other regional airlines to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable aviation fuel.

Asian Development Bank

ADB will manage the project and ensure activities meet international sustainability standards and contribute to regional development goals. They will also provide funding and facilitate knowledge sharing among partners.

LEC’s CEO Jason White said, “This partnership brings together industry leaders and local stakeholders to address climate change through sustainable aviation fuel production. We will create a practical economic and technical plan for this project.”

Fiji Airways Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer Peter Seares, said, “This is good for Fiji and the South Pacific. It will enable our national airline to achieve sustainability while reviving the domestic sugar industry, create jobs and improve the lives of Fijians.”

Benefits of Sugarcane Byproducts for SAF Production

• Carbon Reduction: Sugarcane absorbs a lot of carbon during its growth, so when SAF produced from it, is used in aviation, it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• High Yield and Productivity: Sugarcane is one of the highest-yielding crops, providing a large amount of feedstock for SAF production. Its high sugar content makes it ideal for biofuel conversion.
• Energy Efficiency: The byproduct of sugarcane processing, bagasse, can be used as a bioenergy source to power SAF production, reducing carbon footprint and increasing sustainability.

This partnership could make Fiji a leader in SAF development and use in the Pacific and a model for other regions. If successful, it will contribute to global aviation emissions reduction, sustainable agriculture and new economic opportunities for local investment in industry and agriculture.

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Source: Fiji Airways