September 17, 2024 [Canadian Biomass Magazine]- Simply Blue Group, an Ireland-based clean energy project developer, will launch a sustainable aviation fuels hub in Atlantic Canada as the company moves to expand into North America.

Approximately 755 acres of contiguous land have been secured by Simply Blue Group for development in Goldboro, Nova Scotia: 266 acres previously owned by Pieridae and 489 acres owned by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. The hub is planned on the site formerly proposed for the Goldboro Liquified Natural Gas Project.

The hub in Goldboro will utilise renewable electricity generated from Simply Blue Group’s solar and wind farms in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s.

A dedicated transmission line will connect these facilities, ensuring a seamless flow of self-produced power. This renewable energy, along with Nova Scotia’s sustainable biomass and water resources, will be utilized to produce approximately 150,000 tonnes of SAF per year.

“Nova Scotia is poised to become a leader in green hydrogen. This industry will help us, and our global partners fight climate change, and it will grow our green economy in Nova Scotia with benefits for generations to come,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, in a press release.

“We’re pleased to see Simply Blue Group investing in this budding new industry in Nova Scotia. They’re going to make a big difference in the transportation sector with aviation and marine fuel. And as a new market for our low-grade wood fibre, they will help our forestry sector be healthy and strong.”

Nova Scotia has an abundance of residual biomass: renewable organic material that comes from plants. It contains carbon and hydrogen – both of which are required to make sustainable aviation fuel.

“By providing a stable, long-term market for residual biomass, Simply Blue Group is allowing Nova Scotian woodlot owners the ability to manage their woodlots better, making them healthier and more resilient to wildfires and other disasters brought on by our changing climate,” said Todd Burgess, interim executive director at Forest Nova Scotia, in the release.

“We are very excited to be developing the Goldboro site into a renewable energy park. The sustainable aviation fuel that we will produce there will play an essential part in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change,” said Hugh Kelly, CEO of Simply Blue Group, in the release.

“SAF is a drop-in fuel that matches the performance of conventional jet fuel while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.”

“It’s great to be finally launching this project. A lot of work has gone on in the background with three years of due-diligence and engineering completed, and we have already signed a supply agreement with Wagner Forest NS Ltd. to act as an agent in sourcing 700,000 tonnes of green biomass per annum,” said Michael Galvin, COO for hydrogen and sustainable fuels, in the release.

To support the global focus on decarbonization in the transportation sector — responsible for approximately 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions — the development and adoption of sustainable fuels like SAF is crucial.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Canada currently consumes approximately 6.5 million tonnes of jet fuel per year, resulting in approximately 20 million tonnes per year of carbon dioxide emissions.

“Simply Blue Group’s renewable energy park is an exciting and transformative project for the community of Goldboro, for the province of Nova Scotia, and for the sustainable fuels and green hydrogen sector in Canada,” said Laurel Broten, CEO of Invest in Canada, in the release.

“Tapping into the province’s existing resources and enormous potential, the REP is poised to innovate and create new opportunities in this vital industry. We at Invest in Canada are thrilled to be supporting Simply Blue Group in establishing this project and look forward to continuing to work with our government partners at all levels to help bring dynamic global companies to Canada, as the country takes a leading role in the worldwide transition to net-zero.”

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