WA has bright biofuels future

The future for the emerging biofuels industry looks bright with a number of recent developments advancing its cause.

Perth-based Australian Renewable Fuels is in the final construction stages of two renewable fuel production facilities, while the State Government will establish a taskforce to investigate the viability of a biofuels industry in Western Australia.

ARF is on track to complete the first biodiesel plants in Australia; one at Largs Bay in South Australia and a second at Picton, south of Perth.

These facilities will produce biodiesel on a commercial scale for domestic use and the vast European market, with each facility able to produce up to 45 million litres per year.

Construction at the South Australian plant is complete and production is due to commence in the first quarter of 2006.

The plant at Picton near Bunbury is in the final stages of construction, with commissioning due in March 2006 and production to flow soon after. The State Government biofuels taskforce is seen as a great opportunity to develop the industry in WA and establish the state as a key player in a nationwide industry.

The Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls will join the taskforce and is excited at the potential of the biofuels sector.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to develop a new industry with clean-burning renewable fuels and a new market for grain growers,” he said.

Biodiesel has a positive environmental effect by dramatically reducing green-house gas emissions. It is a sustainable industry, utilising renewable resources.

Mr Grylls believed a biofuels industry would provide opportunities for rural diversification through crops such as canola, wheat and soy, which are used as inputs in renewable fuels.

In Europe, the use of biodiesel has become well accepted, with approximately 3.5 billion litres consumed annually.

With a five-year European sales contract, ARF are well placed to gain a foothold in the industry.