Largest biofuel project in Africa
Sugar cane ethanol is expected to
pour out of the US$ 400million
Dombe Ethanol and Cogeneration
Project in Mozambique within three
years of financial closure.
“Billed as the biggest biofuel project in Africa
and one of the largest in the world, Dombe
was initiated by a Geneva-based biofuel
development company, Principle Energy
Limited (PEL),” says Butch Carr, Director
(Energy) Bosch Projects. “Progress on the
project has been challenging in the startup phase and to-date 65ha of seed cane
has already been planted and an additional
400ha is expected to be planted this year.
“The initial stages of the development have
progressed extremely well despite the high
rainfall experienced in the region. With over
800mm of rain recorded at the project base
camp and the entire site being isolated
several times, the development team has
nonetheless managed to conquer many
gruelling challenges,” says Andy Knox,
Director (Irrigation) Stemele Bosch Africa.
“Although the Lucite River level rose more
than 10m during this period, and the vehicle
ferry was washed away from its moorings,
contractors Praysa Civils (bush clearing and
land preparation), Stefanutti and Bressan
(access roads, dams and pump station civils)
and Inyoni Africa (irrigation pipelines and
pump station MEI) fought the elements
together to make admirable progress under
the tough conditions.
“To-date, just over 900ha of bush has been
cleared, with land preparations following
when access is possible, while 14km of the
main site access road has been cleared
and the base formation prepared. A total of
6km of irrigation mains piping has been laid
and the civil works for the first of the
balancing dams and infield pump stations
is almost complete. The factory site has also
been cleared and the bulk earthworks
contract has commenced.”
Construction of the factory infrastructure is
due to commence late in 2009 and the plant
sh