Sugar industries generate significant quantities of bagasse as a by-product of sugarcane processing, offering substantial potential for renewable energy generation. However, in many developing countries, including Kenya, bagasse utilization remains largely confined to low-efficiency combustion systems, limiting both energy recovery and environmental performance.This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four bagasse-to-energy conversion pathways: direct combustion with cogeneration, gasification, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion. The analysis is based on a functional unit of 1 MWh of electricity generated and follows ISO 14040/14044 standards within a cradle-to-grave system boundary. Primary operational data were obtained from Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Ltd, including cane processing capacity, bagasse generation rates, and cogeneration performance, while secondary data for alternative technologies were sourced from peer-reviewed literature.The study integrates factory-level process analysis, defining key inputs, outputs, and environmental impact points across each conversion pathway. Performance evaluation was conducted using key indicators, including energy efficiency, CO₂ emission intensity, and resource utilization. Results indicate that gasification achieves the highest energy efficiency (approximately 55%), while pyrolysis exhibits the lowest CO₂ emissions (0.705 kg CO₂/kWh). Combustion systems show moderate performance but higher emissions, whereas anaerobic digestion demonstrates lower efficiency with favorable environmental outcomes. The findings highlight the mportance of transitioning from conventional combustion to advanced conversion technologies to improve energy recovery and reduce environmental impacts. This study provides a process-based and data-driven framework for sustainable energy planning in biomass-rich sugar industries.

Keywords

Bagasse Energy, Life Cycle Assessment, Biomass Conversion, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Power Generation.