Royal Swaziland Sugar Corp Ltd (RSSC) is a Swaziland-based company that has been in operation since 1950. The company is primarily involved in the production and sale of sugar, but it has also diversified its operations to include renewable energy projects. RSSC has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in Swaziland, particularly in the biomass and waste sectors, as well as in carbon markets.

Biomass & Waste

RSSC has been using biomass as a source of energy for its sugar production operations for many years. The company has a cogeneration plant that uses bagasse, a by-product of sugar production, as fuel to generate electricity. The plant has a capacity of 35MW and supplies electricity to the national grid, as well as to the company's operations. RSSC has also been exploring the use of other biomass sources, such as wood chips, to supplement its energy needs.

In addition to using biomass as a source of energy, RSSC has also been exploring the use of waste as a resource. The company has a waste management program that aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by its operations and to recycle as much waste as possible. RSSC has partnered with local waste management companies to collect and dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner. The company has also been exploring the use of waste as a source of energy, particularly through the production of biogas.

RSSC has been working on a biogas project that involves the use of waste from its sugar production operations to produce biogas. The biogas will be used to generate electricity, which will be supplied to the national grid. The project is expected to have a capacity of 5MW and will help to reduce the company's reliance on fossil fuels.

Carbon Markets

RSSC has also been involved in carbon markets, particularly through the development of carbon offset projects. The company has been working on a project that involves the installation of energy-efficient cookstoves in rural communities in Swaziland. The cookstoves use less fuel than traditional stoves, which reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by cooking activities. The project has been registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which allows the company to generate carbon credits that can be sold in international carbon markets.

In addition to the cookstove project, RSSC has also been exploring the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to reduce its carbon footprint. The company has installed solar panels at its operations to supplement its energy needs and has also been exploring the use of wind turbines.

Conclusion

RSSC is a company that has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in Swaziland. The company has been using biomass and waste as sources of energy, as well as exploring the use of other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. RSSC has also been involved in carbon markets, particularly through the development of carbon offset projects. The company's commitment to renewable energy and sustainability has helped to reduce its carbon footprint and to contribute to the development of a more sustainable future for Swaziland.