New SAF Project Announced In Louisiana
Southern Energy Renewables, a U.S.-based developer of biomass-to-fuels projects, announced it will invest $1.4 billion to develop a green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility that will convert the abundant wood-waste biomass into some of the lowest lifecycle-carbon fuels on the market, leveraging Louisiana’s established energy infrastructure, innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce.
The new production facility located near hydrogen supply and key logistics infrastructure is Southern’s first commercial-scale development in Louisiana as it prepares for a proposed merger with DevvStream, a carbon management and monetization firm.
“Louisiana is a vital partner in advancing our production model that includes the conversion of regional wood-waste biomass sourcing, fuel production, and aviation and maritime offtake to create a first-of-its-kind platform with the potential to compete on a global stage and reduce the global reliance on China for clean fuels,” says Jay Patel, Southern Energy Renewables CEO. “With support from LED and other local partners, our roadmap is built to deliver fuels at an industrial scale with a clear cost advantage, while creating new jobs, expanding the local economy, and strengthening America’s energy leadership to meet growing demand.”
Pre-construction planning and site development activities on the project are underway. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027 with production anticipated in late 2029.
To win the project in St. Charles, the state of Louisiana offered Southern Energy Renewables a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant for infrastructure improvements. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption program.
The company is expected to create 120 direct new jobs with an average salary of $97,267, with an additional 394 indirect new jobs, for a total of 514 potential opportunities in the region.
Latest news
Arbaflame Announces Romanian Pellet Plant
Norwegian biotechnology company Arbaflame announced in early November plans to build a wood fuel pellet plant in Romania. The company is also working with Romania’s energy ministry on a coal replacement verification test program through the first half of 2022…
Bandit Announces Major Expansions
Bandit Industries plans to build three new production facilities and expand an existing plant in 2022. That is in addition to four building expansions in 2021, one that is completed and three more that are currently under construction. When all are completed, Bandit’s manufacturing facilities will increase…
Drax Supports United Way’s Latest Efforts
Drax Biomass donated $5,000 and essential water supplies to help evacuees in Northeastern Louisiana who were impacted by Hurricane Ida. The funds and supplies went to hurricane relief efforts driven by United Way of northeast Louisiana part of their “Embrace Louisiana” relief project.
Wood Pellet Mill In Adel Getting Closer
A proposed 450,000 metric tons per year industrial wood pellet mill to be built in Adel, Ga. is still an active project with nearly all of the pieces—including financing, equipment selection and air quality permit—in place, and construction expected to begin at mid-year 2022, according to Craig Whitlock, founder and…
Find Us On Social
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Wood Bioenergy News Online hits the inboxes of subscribers in the wood-to-energy sectors.
Subscribe/Renew
Wood Bioenergy is published and delivered worldwide 6 times per year. Free to qualified readers in the U.S. Subscribers outside the U.S. are asked to pay a small fee.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.