Katunga’s major $2 billion development, the biomass liquid fuel project, like much of Victoria, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic although according to CEO, Peter Holmgren, it has only been slightly impacted.
Much of the detailed design work has been ongoing throughout the lockdown including submission of plans to the Environmental Protection Agency, now waiting on approval.
Requests for proposals for road works into the property will be issued shortly with the company looking forward to seeing work start before the year’s end.
Much of the equipment and technology involved in the project that is being sourced from suppliers overseas is where most of the delays have occurred.
Peter Holmgren said, “We are anticipating full construction should start later this year into the beginning of next year if we have no further delays.
“We are in discussion with property owners, growers and feedstock suppliers so that we can begin to get that side of the operations started.”
The project anticipates bringing into play up to 75,000ha in owned and leased farmland.
“We are currently having discussions with GOTAFE and La Trobe University to assist with research programs and courses that will be required to educate the staff in running the operation.”
With the construction, on-farm and plant operations, its anticipated to engage more than 500 people into the project.
The project will be the first of its kind in Australia to utilise pyrolysis technology, a thermal decomposition process occurring in the absence of oxygen which converts lignocellulosic biomass into carbon-rich solids and liquids, much of which will be used as fuel options.
