US$9.2bn renewable fuel complex planned

Fidelis Infrastructure portfolio company Grön Fuels LLC is studying the feasibility of a renewable fuel complex at the inland Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana.

The base project is expected to produce up to 60,000 barrels per day of low-carbon renewable diesel, with an option to produce renewable jet fuel utilising non-fossil feedstocks, including soybean oil, corn oil and animal fats.

Jay Hardman, executive director of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, said: “The port is excited to have finalized the ground lease and assist Fidelis Infrastructure in advancing the investment in the Grön Fuels new renewable diesel project for Louisiana and the Greater Baton Rouge region.”

The project would be built in stages over nine years at a site leased from the port on the west bank of the Mississippi River, near Port Allen. Upon completion of all phases – potentially by 2030 – the site would be one of the largest renewable fuel complexes in the world.

With expansions and associated projects, the complex could involve up to US$9.2bn of total investment over several phases. A final investment decision is expected in 2021, which will determine the final cost of the project’s first phase. The first phase of construction would involve a capital investment of over US$1.25bn.