California Ethanol & Power has announced its low-carbon sugarcane-to-ethanol and power facility, Sugar Valley Energy, has secured letters of intent with local Imperial Valley farmers to grow 12,000 acres of sugarcane to support its initial feedstock production schedule.

The sugarcane plantings will take place in phases, corresponding with the timing of construction of the facility, which will encompass an advanced bioethanol refinery producing as much as 75 million gallons annually, and a power island that will produce 43 MW of bioelectricity as well as pipeline-grade biogas. The SVE Essential Ethanol™ will represent the lowest carbon pathway of any commercial biofuel produced in California.

Commitments for another 38,000 acres of sugarcane are expected to be secured to support the facility completion and commencement of operation in 2026, with financing for the 160-acre facility and the agricultural operations expected this year.