KENYASony Sugar Company needs Sh12 billion for expansion that will see the Migori-based miller venture into electricity and ethanol production.

The firm’s managing director Pamela Odhiambo said they require at least Sh5 billion for co-generation of electricity to be sold to the national grid.

“This project is in line with the Jubilee government’s strategy to expand energy sources for industrial and technology growth.

Ketraco has already started the construction of a sub-station right behind our factory on Sony Sugar nucleus to support a 132KV Kisii-Awendo electricity transmission line,” she said.

“We require another Sh5 billion for ethanol production— projected at 30,000 litres of ethanol per day.

Ethanol has a ready market in East Africa, even without blending of power alcohol,” she added.

She said Sony needed Sh1.9 billion for factory optimisation including cane irrigation for which they have identified farms at the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project under the National Irrigation Board.

“These projects can grow our sales revenue by 62 per cent to Sh7 billion from an average of Sh4.5 billon per year. This will ensure cane farming is sustained and the strong clientele and stakeholder base of Sony Sugar prospers,” said Ms Odhiambo.

“Sony stands out as the major industrial investment by government in this south-western side of Kenya and therefore has had a positive impact on the livelihoods of people in this community since its commissioning in 1979,” she added.

The company has an out-grower base of 25,000 farmers who own 18,359 hectares of land. It also has a workforce of 1,800 employees.

September 11, 2014; http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Sony-Sugar-seeks-Sh12bn-for-expansion/-/539550/2449484/-/15uk1a0/-/index.html