California Ethanol + Power

California Ethanol + Power (CE+P) today announced the completion of an Independent Engineering Report for Sugar Valley Energy (SVE), prepared by Black & Veatch, a global leader in engineering, construction and consulting for clean energy and critical infrastructure projects around the world.

Completion of the report represents a major milestone in Sugar Valley Energy’s path to construction—providing third-party validation of the project’s design, cost, schedule, technology and overall readiness for financing. Once operational, the integrated biorefinery campus in Brawley, California, will produce more than 73 million gallons of low-carbon ethanol, 771 million standard cubic feet of renewable natural gas (RNG) and 41 megawatts of renewable electricity each year from sugarcane that is sustainably grown in the county.

“This milestone affirms the soundness of our project design and the quality of the partners bringing it to life,” said Dave Rubenstein, president & CEO of California Ethanol + Power. “With Black & Veatch’s validation, Sugar Valley Energy moves one step closer to advancing California’s clean-fuel future—creating jobs, improving air quality, and supporting energy security right here in the Imperial Valley.”

“As an independent engineering and consulting firm, Black & Veatch’s role is to objectively assess the technical and commercial readiness of major infrastructure projects,” said Chris Klausner, associate vice president, Black & Veatch. “Our review of the Sugar Valley Energy project found its design, contracting structure and development approach to be consistent with industry practices for large-scale renewable fuel facilities. The project represents an integrated pathway for advancing reduced carbon energy production in California.”

Independent Review of Project

The Independent Engineering Report confirms that Sugar Valley Energy’s integrated design, contracting approach, and operations strategy aligns with industry practices for large-scale renewable fuel projects. The report concluded that:

• The project site is appropriate for construction, interconnection and long-term operations;
• Design and technology integration across ethanol, RNG and cogeneration systems meet accepted industry practices;
• The 36-month EPC schedule, led by Hoffman Construction and supported by Harder Mechanical, is reasonable and achievable;
• O&M and asset management plans by IHI Power Services Corp. and Booker Tate reflect sound industry practices;
• Environmental and permitting status is aligned with the development schedule, with major approvals secured; and
• Financial model assumptions for capital and operating costs are consistent with comparable bioenergy facilities.
  
  

Momentum for Renewable Fuels in California

The completion of the report comes at a pivotal moment for California’s renewable energy and transportation sectors. With the recent passage of Assembly Bill 30 (AB 30), authorizing the sale of E15 gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol, the state has taken a historic step toward a cleaner, more affordable fuel mix.

“The passage of AB 30 underscores why projects like Sugar Valley Energy are so important,” Rubenstein added. “California now has the policy framework to adopt higher-blend renewable fuels, and Sugar Valley Energy will provide the sustainable, in-state ethanol supply needed to make that transition real.”

About the Project and Partners

Sugar Valley Energy’s development team includes Hoffman Construction Company (EPC), Harder Mechanical, Booker Tate (agricultural and O&M advisor), IHI Power Services Corp. (operations and asset management), and Eco-Energy (ethanol offtake).

Independent engineering reports such as this one provide investors, lenders, and regulatory agencies with third-party assurance of project feasibility, representing a crucial step toward financial close and groundbreaking.

About Black & Veatch  

Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure and energy assets. Follow us on www.bv.com/newsroom and on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About California Ethanol + Power (CE+P)

CE+P is a development company that intends to develop, construct, operate and own numerous facilities that will convert locally grown sugarcane into Essential Ethanol™, a sustainable, renewable and extremely low carbon transportation fuel that will assist California in meeting its groundbreaking AB32 requirements. CE+P is committed to employing processes and equipment that are both commercially proven and financeable, while also meeting California’s stringent environmental regulations. CE+P also has identified promising potential products such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia, using low carbon ethanol as a feedstock for fossil fuel-based chemical replacement, and developing low carbon drop-in fuel from sugarcane tops and leaves as an alternative to crude oil. 

For more information, please visit: www.californiaethanolpower.com

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