Fiji Airways is collaborating with the Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited (FSC) and Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) to examine the feasibility of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in Fiji. This will open an opportunity for tapping into local resources and expertise to support a greener aviation sector and unlock economic opportunities for communities across Fiji. It’s a project of the Asian Development Bank that will see regional goals associated with lowering carbon emission and sustainability in the Pacific.
The Sustainability Project — A Strategic Move for Sustainability
This partnership is for the purpose of studying the possibility of using byproducts such as molasses, bagasse, and other biomass as feedstocks for the production of SAFs. The project has set an important milestone for Fiji Airways on the way to reducing carbon footprints and creating a more sustainable model for aviation.
An opportunity to learn from all this will come when Fiji’s sugar industry, led by FSC, plays its pivotal role in this project. The largest sugar milling company in the South Pacific, FSC is an available, sustainable source of biomass for SAF production. By tapping into this local resource, the project hopes to set up a supply chain with a sound environmental benefit and in direct support of the local economy.
Feasibility Study: Sugarcane Byproducts as SAF
The heart of this project is a wide feasibility study that Lee Enterprises Consulting, a global consultancy firm focused on specializing in biofuels and alternative energy solutions, will conduct. The study would look at the technological paths converting available by-products from sugarcane to ethanol, bagasse, sugar, cane juice, or molasses. Subsequently, that ethanol could be turned into alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel-an accepted pathway to produce SAF.
LEC will play a crucial role in the technical and economic feasibility analysis of SAF production in Fiji. The consultancy will consult with FSC to identify feasible strategies for ethanol-based SAF production based on specific features of agricultural landscapes in Fiji. This project can be expected, if successful, to position Fiji as an innovation leader in the SAF in the Pacific.
Benefits of Sugarcane-Based SAF Production
Since there are numerous reasons to produce SAF by using sugarcane byproduct, it is a good area to target this project. The uptake of sugarcane while under production absorbs considerable quantities of carbon dioxide. Since the emissions are considered during the use of SAF in an aircraft, these crop’s high yields offer enough feedstock to obtain SAF production economically. Yet another source of renewable energy is by-product bagasse from sugarcane processing that can be used to power production facilities.
This approach is not only in terms of less reliance on fossil fuels but also a very viable approach towards management and utilization of agricultural wastes, contributing to the fight against climate change worldwide. Besides, it fosters re-developing the domestic sugar industry, hence helps in job creation and accelerating economic development in rural areas.
Partnership for a Better Tomorrow
The three stakeholders among Fiji Airways, FSC, LEC, and ADB key stakeholders committed to the address of climate change and enhancement of sustainable development in any sector. Each partner was crucial in ensuring that this project completed.
Fiji Airways: The national airline wants to be a pioneer in the development of sustainable aviation in the Pacific. The country will set a benchmark for the regional carriers wanting to shift to a greener future through its transition to SAF.
Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC): FSC will supply the feedstocks; this will ensure that the process is locally sourced and sustainable.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB): Asian Development Bank shall administer and finance the project and ensure the project satisfies global norms in all terms of sustainability and advances regional development objectives further.
Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC): LEC shall lead the world in biofuels and conduct a feasibility study on focusing on the most efficient modes of conversion of sugarcane by-products into SAF.
The global aviation sector is among the largest greenhouse gases emitters, and more recently, SAF has increasingly become an integral tool in reducing the environmental footprint of aviation. Fiji Airways can therefore make some major contributions to reduce carbon emissions by producing SAF locally, thereby making air travel more sustainable in the Pacific region.
Not only will it reduce environmental impacts, but it also will create new economic opportunities. The demand of sugarcane and its byproducts will be able to create some opportunities for local farmers and communities; increased investment can spur local investment in the sugar and renewable energy sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities
Although the prospect is promising, still several challenges face its development. As of now, SAF production is still relatively more expensive compared with traditional jet fuels, and scaling up in Fiji would require massive investment in infrastructure. Nevertheless, with the ADB’s support and partnership’s expertise with LEC, the project is now ready to develop a workable and economically feasible solution.
There is also an issue of international cooperation in addressing climate change, which is taken into account by this initiative. Fiji will have an excellent opportunity to put itself on the map to become a leader in the Pacific region for developing sustainable aviation fuel based on expertise from all over the world and support from the local system.
Conclusion
Fiji Airways is undertaking a pioneering venture in consonance with the efforts of the world to reduce aviation emissions, coupled with FSC, LEC, and ADB, towards identifying the potential for SAF production. Upon the effective completion of this project, it would improve the airline’s sustainability profile; more importantly, enormous economic benefits would flow into the sugar industry of Fiji and other local communities. This could make Fiji a leader in Pacific sustainable aviation fuel innovations and potentially contribute to the decarbonization of the aviation industry.
Source: Fiji Airways