Mills are being approached by various organisations to provide energy services. Many
of these services are being outsourced as contractors may allow some flexibility in
operations. These services include: grid, stand-by or non-crush season electricity;
auxiliary and backup fuel supplies; interest in existing thennal and electrical energy
plant; new plant for bagasse or biomass handling and utilisation; new plant for steam
raising, electricity generation and distribution; energy plant operations; energy plant
maintenance; bagasse and ash handling. The deregulation of the electricity industry has
presented opportunities for energy companies in particular to provide mills with
improved services with comparable annual costs. Is the production of steam and
electricity a core business element for a mill, or could this be provided by a competent
partner? Other organisations own and operate steam boiler plant and turboaltemators;
therefore, the necessary skills and deliverability may be available under contract. Is
selling the energy plant a long-tenn solution to steam supply problems? What sort of
energy service company alliance would bring value to the sugar industry? The inherent
value of biomass fuel and the energy plant should be realised in an energy market,
possibly improving the viability of fanning and energy operations.