17/04/2026
SUNBIRD BIOENERGY UNVAILS $70 MILLION INTEGRATED BIOREFINERY PLAN FOR MUCHINGA PROVINCE.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Sunbird Group has announced advanced plans to develop a landmark US$70 million integrated biorefinery and agricultural project in Muchinga Province, signaling a major vote of confidence in Zambia’s renewable energy and livestock sectors. According to Chief Executive Officer Richard Bennet, the project is now "investment ready" and poised to deliver significant import substitution and rural employment.
The announcement was made during a presentation to Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Tuesday Bwalya. The development, designated as a flagship asset within Sunbird’s African portfolio, is anchored by a 10,000-hectare agricultural operation split evenly between a nucleus farm and an out-grower program. The facility will process sustainable feedstocks, primarily rain-fed cassava and high-yield C4 energy grasses, to produce 60 million litres of renewable fuel per annum.
CEO Richard Bennet assured the Permanent Secretary that this bioethanol output is strategically positioned to capitalize on Zambia’s evolving E10/E20 blending policy. Offtake is expected to flow through Tazama Pipelines and other Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for domestic fuel blending. Beyond transport fuel, the biorefinery will also supply the clean cooking industry with bioethanol and fuel pellets.
In addition to liquid fuel, the plant will generate 12 MW of renewable power through Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and biogas technology. This electricity will support internal consumption for the industrial complex while providing surplus energy to local farm block tenants and bolstering the government’s rural electrification drive.
A critical third revenue stream comes from a dedicated feed mill designed to produce 10 metric tonnes of animal feed per year. Sunbird notes that this component directly supports national agricultural policy aimed at increasing the national livestock herd to 7.5 million head. Major regional agribusiness players, including Zambeef, alongside regional cattle farms, have been identified as primary offtake customers.
The project carries a projected Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 18% and a Net Present Value (NPV) of US$200 million against projected annual revenues of US$70 million. Sunbird emphasized the scheme's wider economic ripple effects, which include the creation of over 400 direct jobs and livelihood support for more than 10,000 out-grower farmers.
Furthermore, the company estimates the facility will generate US$70 million in import substitution annually by offsetting fossil fuel and feed imports, while delivering lifecycle emissions reductions and soil enhancement benefits in the region. The initiative is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
In his response, Dr. Tuesday Bwalya stated that Muchinga Province possesses vast untapped potential and resources, and projects like the one Sunbird is willing to invest in are most welcome.
"We are excited about this development. The Provincial Administration, in collaboration with our traditional leaders, will facilitate the easy passage for serious investors in the Province," Dr. Bwalya said.
He noted that seven months after hosting the Muchinga Investment Expo, the Province remains committed to lobbying for serious investors to unlock the region's economic potential.
The Company is prepared to commence project implementation immediately upon the finalization of all requisite land acquisition agreements with the Traditional Leadership. The Firm will execute this project in close partnership with the Chief Development Trust, ensuring a structure of mutual benefit for the community served by the Trust and for Sunbird Bioenergy.
