The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking for investors for newly launched sisal plants in Limpopo, South Africa. The DTI believes an electricity generation project from the waste could emerge from the natural fiber that yields products like rope.
"Taking the process forward we realize that there is a need for us to use methanol, from which, in turn, could be used for generating electricity for the locals here," DTI director of innovation and technology Ephraim Baloyi said referring to utilizing waste as feedstock.
If successful, this project would decrease the dependence on Eskom, SA’s utility powerhouse, already unable to meet energy demands.
"We are in consultation with the Development Bank of South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation and the National Empowerment Fund to try and see if it can be advanced to a bankable stage," explained Baloyi.