Narrogin Selected As FEA’s First Project Location

FutureEnergy Australia (FEA) is pleased to announce the Shire of Narrogin as the location for its first renewable diesel biorefinery.

An exclusive 12-month option agreement has been signed to purchase a 65Ha block of land outside of Narrogin for the biorefining business.

The initial biorefinery is expected to require less than 10% of the potential land acquisition. The land size provides the optional to add additional production modules and, subject to further assessment, develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and graphene refining capability.

Late last year, world-leading engineering and technology firm Technip Energies was appointed to carry out Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) for the project.

Once built, the biorefinery will convert sustainably sourced woody biomass such as woody construction waste, ecological thinnings and plant-based agricultural waste into renewable diesel using high-temperature pyrolysis.

The produced renewable diesel can then be used as a low-carbon drop-in replacement for conventional diesel.

The project will be the first commercial-scale renewable diesel production facility in Australia.

FEA Chair Adrian Cook said securing an exclusive option on the land is a key component in progressing the project.

“Our Australian-first renewable diesel project has the potential to transform the approach to fuel production and use for individuals, businesses and organisations looking to reduce their carbon footprint,” he said.

“The benefits are not exclusive to fuel users, with additional by-products produced in the biorefining process such as biochar and wood vinegar providing important soil improvement opportunities to the agricultural sector.

“We’re excited to push forward with developing the biorefinery and implementing our chosen technology, which has the ability to create a circular economy in the Wheatbelt, regional employment opportunities and bring about meaningful carbon emissions reduction.”

FEA Executive Director Jennifer Lauber Patterson also welcomed the initiative.

“After more than a year of planning, development and stakeholder engagement, we have confirmed a site, are advanced in front-end engineering and design and have feedstock and offtake agreements in train,” she said.

“We look forward to working with the Narrogin and nearby communities to make FEA’s biorefinery into a multi-generational, region-building project.”

“A key reason for the location of the site is to access to energy crops. We are starting to work with farmers to access existing oil mallee plantations and to support the investment in energy crops to provide farmers additional income streams and to help manage salinity and restore soil health.”