Abstract
This paper investigates the technical advancement
in the production of ethanol in Southern Africa and examines
the utilisation of ethanol and of the by-products derived from its
production process. Although numerous studies have identified
the use of ethanol as an alternative energy source especially in
Brazil and the USA, very little data and analytical attention has
been given to Southern Africa. This paper therefore builds on
that and on the study done on alternative energy in Southern
Africa such as the coal to liquids processes by Sasol. The paper
demonstrates that the expansion of bio-ethanol as an alternative
fuel would result in the reduction of Greenhouse gasses
emissions and an increase in the rural economic development in
the Southern African region. In conclusion the paper emphasises
the need for a speedy upgrading of the ethanol technological
methods in order to expand the use of bio-ethanol as an
alternative energy. In addition the paper strongly recommends
the supplementation of coal for the generation of electricity, as
well as the progressive replacement of petroleum fuelled vehicles
with the ethanol blend or the complete replacement with
ethanol-fuelled ones.