SKY Renewables Gains Momentum

Growers across the Burdekin are being urged to sign on with SKY Renewables before the end of May, as interest grows in the company’s plan to convert sugarcane tops and trash into renewable energy for export.

The immediate appeal lies in the opportunity to earn additional income from a by-product that is currently burned in the paddock. SKY Renewables is offering around $15 per green tonne of tops and trash, with all harvesting and transport costs covered by the company—not the grower.

For many in the region, the project represents more than just extra revenue. By tapping into a new market for cane waste, local businesses can diversify income streams and reduce reliance on global sugar prices, which remain volatile. Supporters say it’s a step toward future-proofing an industry that continues to underpin the Burdekin economy.

There is no shortage of demand. Singapore, where 95 per cent of electricity is powered by imported natural gas, is actively seeking cleaner alternatives. SKY Renewables has held talks with Singapore’s Energy Market Authority and is now negotiating long-term offtake deals with power companies owned by the Singaporean government.

While debate continues elsewhere about the motivations for renewable energy, the commercial argument is straightforward: a wealthy, stable export partner is prepared to pay for a product that would otherwise go to waste. That kind of opportunity is becoming increasingly rare in a global trade environment that is growing more protectionist.

SKY Renewables says more than 60 per cent of growers who attended its May 7 town hall have already signed on. A series of shed meetings and mini town halls are now underway across the district, ahead of the May 31 sign-up deadline.

For growers looking to strengthen their business and help secure the future of the region’s flagship industry, the offer is being seen as one worth serious consideration.

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Glenn Betteridge, Incoming CBL Chair & Simon Yim, CEO of Sky Renewables

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