Proserpine Sugar Mill - 17 MW Biomass Power Plant in Queensland, Australia

Proserpine Sugar Mill is a biomass power plant located in Queensland, Australia, with a capacity of 17 MW. Owned by Sucrogen, the facility is operational and plays a key role in the region's sugar industry by converting sugarcane bagasse into electricity. The plant operates on biomass fuel, primarily bagasse, a byproduct of sugar milling. This technology is common in Australia's sugar regions, where cogeneration plants provide both process steam and electricity. The facility's capacity is small to medium scale for biomass power generation, typical for mill-based operations. Environmentally, the plant contributes to renewable energy generation and reduces waste by utilizing bagasse. It supports the local grid and provides energy security for the sugar mill. The facility operates under Australia's National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and state-level renewable energy targets.

The plant uses biomass fuel, which has lower CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels but still produces particulate matter and other pollutants. Its location in a rural area near sugarcane fields minimizes impact on densely populated zones. The facility's age and technology are typical for mill-based cogeneration, with moderate efficiency. The 17 MW capacity indicates a modest environmental footprint relative to larger thermal plants.