Fiji Airways is collaborating with The Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited, Lee Enterprises Consulting, and the Asian Development Bank to explore the feasibility of Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in Fiji.

The collaboration focuses on utilising sugarcane byproducts like molasses, bagasse, and biomass to create SAF, leveraging local agricultural resources. The project will assess SAF’s environmental benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and energy efficiency. It also has the potential to showcase a model that can be replicated in other regions.

Close up of a sugar cane stalk

Benefits of using sugarcane 

Using sugarcane byproducts as a feedstock offers many advantages, including:

Reduced Carbon Emissions. Sugarcane has a significant ability to absorb carbon due to its rapid growth and high biomass production. The CO² captured during its growth phase contributes to a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when the resulting SAF is used in aviation.

High Yield and Productivity. Sugarcane is one of the most productive crops in terms of biomass yield per hectare, providing a large quantity of feedstock for SAF production. The high sugar content of the crop makes it particularly efficient for biofuel production, as sugars can be easily fermented into ethanol, which can then be upgraded to SAF.

Energy Efficiency. Sugarcane ethanol production is highly energy efficient. The bagasse (the fibrous residue left after extracting juice from sugarcane) can be used as a bioenergy source to power the production process, further reducing the carbon footprint and making the process more sustainable.

The project could help pave the way for a greener future in aviation while supporting agriculture and creating new economic opportunities for local communities.

“This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnerships in addressing global challenges such as climate change,” LEC’s CEO Jason White said.

“By bringing together industry leaders and local stakeholders, we are not only advancing the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel but also promoting economic resilience and environmental stewardship in the Pacific. LEC has brought together a world-class team of bioenergy industry experts for this project and we are excited to deliver the economic and technical feasibility roadmap for how this important sustainability capability can be realised.”

Fiji Airways chief legal and sustainability officer, Peter Seares, said it is a landmark project for Fiji and the South Pacific Region.

“The feasibility assessment will lay a foundation for Fiji’s national airline to meet its sustainability goals while utilising local resources that will help to reinvigorate and transform the domestic sugar industry, create new jobs, and improve the lives of Fijians,” Seares said.

SAF for the Pacific Islands was a hot topic at the recent CAPA Summit in Brisbane, with nations most affected by climate change having limited access plus huge costs associated with purchasing new sustainable fuel options.

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This initiative, funded by ADB, positions Fiji Airways at the forefront of sustainability efforts in the Pacific aviation industry.

Funded by The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the collaboration aims to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive SAF production and utilisation model in Fiji that leverages available local agricultural resources, international cutting-edge expertise, and Fiji’s dynamic national airline.

The cross-functional industry team includes:

Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) is a leader in biofuels and alternative energy consulting, who will lead the technological and economic feasibility study of converting bagasse, sugar, cane juice and/or molasses produced by the Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited into ethanol-based SAF. Leveraging its extensive network of bioenergy experts, Lee Enterprises Consulting will evaluate multiple technical pathways and technologies to enable alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) production, a proven solution for commercial sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited (FSC), the largest sugar milling company in the South Pacific region and a significant contributor to the Fijian economy, who produces sugar cane-based feedstocks, a renewable and sustainable source of biomass, which can be used as the primary feedstock source for SAF production.
Fiji Airways, Fiji’s national carrier, who is committed to exploring ways to reduce its carbon footprint including the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

ADB, as the coordinating body, will oversee the project’s implementation, ensuring that all activities align with international sustainability standards and contribute to regional development goals. ADB will also provide funding support and facilitate knowledge exchange amongst the partners, leveraging its extensive experience in sustainable infrastructure projects.