Saunders International Limited (Saunders) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Optimal Renewable Gas (ORG) to facilitate the establishment of biomethane facilities throughout Australia.
The agreement marks a significant step towards enhancing Australia’s renewable energy infrastructure, with the first facility slated for Westbury, Tasmania, according to Saunders.
Under the terms of the MoU, Saunders will undertake the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies essential for the construction of biomethane plants, paving the way for ORG to establish a network of ten facilities nationwide by 2030.
The first project in Tasmania will involve the construction of a $50-55 million plant capable of producing 1.2 terajoules of renewable gas daily from organic waste streams.
Mike Davis, managing director of ORG, said: “Biomethane is a key pathway to support Australia’s efforts to decarbonise, and an important safeguard for traditional gas users that are unable to electrify.
“Through the signing of this MoU with Saunders, we are taking a significant step forward in realising our near-term goal to establish ten grid-scale plants by 2030, bolstering the nation’s renewable energy capacity.”
Saunders’ managing director and chief executive officer, Mark Benson, said: “We are incredibly proud that ORG has selected Saunders as a key partner to support their plan to deliver renewable gas to the Australian market.
“It’s fantastic to see continued investment in the new energy sector through the creation of new facilities and the repurposing and repositioning of existing assets.”
The collaboration between ORG and Saunders aligns with the vision outlined in the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) 2021 Bioenergy Roadmap, which underscores the pivotal role of bioenergy in fostering economic prosperity, job creation and environmental sustainability.