By Kari Williamson

The bioethanol plant will have an annual capacity of 70 million litres of ethanol and 50,000 tonnes of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct used for manufacturing animal feed.

Abengoa will also build an 8 MW biomass cogeneration facility to meet the energy needs of the bioethanol plant.

The bioethanol plant will utilise dry milling and batch fermentation of sorghum, maize, barley and wheat.

Abengoa and ALUR are setting up a joint venture to operate and maintain the plant. ALUR is responsible for selling the products and supplying the raw materials. Abengoa is responsible for the construction of the facilities, which is expected to take just under two years.