SKY Renewables Announces Sweet Deal

SKY Renewables’ push to sign up Burdekin growers to sell tops and trash for extra cash has been extended to June 30, with growers having until the end of financial year to make a call on enriching their revenue streams.

Since a well-attended town hall on 7 May, growers representing close to 1,000,000 tons of the Burdekin cane crop have signed on with SKY Renewables to turbocharge the transformational Project Lion proposal.

SKY Renewables CEO Simon Yim says he is thrilled with the uptake from Burdekin growers who have signed agreements to provide tops and trash for the project.

“Burdekin growers are increasingly realising that partnering with SKY Renewables is a zero-risk proposition for them”, Mr Yim said; “but the unity they are representing by signing up creates a formidable voice of unity and purpose.”

“In light of the great momentum SKY Renewables is gathering, we are extending the deadline as there are a fair number of growers who are either not yet aware of this proposed deal or need that bit of extra time to process the signing.”

Project Lion involves harvesting the tops and trash of cane – currently burned – and turning them into briquettes, which will eventually be turned into bio-methane for export to renewable gas-hungry markets such as Singapore.

“If the project proceeds, there are only upsides for growers. We are partnering with them to turn green into gold. Our project is all about increasing the sustainability of the Burdekin’s sugar industry at all stages of the supply chain.

Canegrowers Queensland Chairman and Burdekin canegrower Owen Menkens said he had signed up.

“I hope everyone would take advantage of this opportunity”, Mr Menkens said.

Glenn Betteridge, the newly-elected Chairman of Canegrowers Burdekin has also signed an agreement with SKY Renewables.

“I signed up. I believe in Simon and in our project”, Mr Betteridge said.

“SKY Renewables presents an opportunity for growers to earn additional income from tops and trash net of all additional costs. I have signed up and hope all of you take advantage of it”, said third-generation Burdekin canegrower Christian Lago.

“It’s time we took control of our industry to its full potential for the benefit of the whole community”, said Ricky Mio of Mio Ag & Co, based near Clare.

Mr Yim will be available in the QSL office in Ayr after mid-June to meet with growers wanting to sign up.

Interested growers wanting to sign up with SKY Renewables should email Mr Yim at simon.yim@skyrenewables.com.

The equity offer for growers will no longer be available after the EOFY deadline.

“I would much prefer growers to be partners than mere suppliers”, Mr Yim said.

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