Fiji Airways, in collaboration with Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited (FSC) and Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC), has announced a new initiative to evaluate the feasibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Fiji with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The collaboration will assess the possibility of establishing a comprehensive SAF production and utilisation model in Fiji.

The study will focus on using sugarcane and its waste products as inputs for ethanol production, which can then be processed into SAF. Molasses, sugar, bagasse, and biomass are all potential feedstocks that will be evaluated.

This project is a significant step towards reducing Fiji’s carbon footprint and with country’s national airline Fiji Airways has already committed to using SAF and transitioning away from fossil fuels.

“This 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,” said Peter Seares, chief legal and sustainability officer, Fiji Airways.

LEC, biofuels and alternative energy consulting firm, will lead the feasibility study. LEC will leverage its expertise to assess various technical pathways and technologies for converting sugarcane into ethanol-based SAF. Meanwhile, the FSC will provide sugarcane-based feedstocks, a crucial renewable source of biomass for SAF production.

“This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnerships in addressing global challenges such as climate change. By bringing together industry leaders and local stakeholders, we are not only advancing the production and use of SAF but also promoting economic resilience and environmental stewardship in the Pacific,” said Jason White, CEO, LEC.

The ADB will oversee the project’s implementation and ensure that all activities comply with international sustainability standards. ADB will also provide financial support and facilitate knowledge sharing among the partners.

This article first appeared in SAF Investor.