New Energy Behind Old Promises
The Queensland Government recently announced a parliamentary inquiry into the role sugarcane can play in producing clean energy and fuel - and what that could mean for jobs and investment in the regions.
It’s something CANEGROWERS has been pushing for, and it’s encouraging to finally see some real movement.
Cane has long been the backbone of many regional towns, contributing billions the Queensland economy every year and supporting more than 20,000 jobs.
But there’s a lot more we can get from the crop than just raw sugar. The leftover fibre from milling – bagasse – can generate enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
And the juice and molasses? They can be turned into biofuels, including the sort of sustainable aviation fuel the world is crying out for right now.
That’s not pie in the sky – it’s real, proven technology. What’s been missing is the policy and investment needed to scale it up.
Of course, many growers and locals will be thinking, “We’ve heard all this before.” And they’re not wrong. Biofuels have been talked about for decades, with very little to show for it.
But the world has changed. Emissions targets aren’t just talk anymore. Power prices are biting. Airlines need cleaner fuels now. And every level of government is looking for practical solutions that won’t hurt regional economies.
Sugarcane fits the bill.
What we need is a clear direction – strategies and policies that give investors the confidence to get projects off the ground, protect good cane land, and build the necessary infrastructure.
If we get that right, this inquiry could be the spark that helps future-proof our industry – and the communities that depend on it.
