Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett this morning welcomed a commercial size diesel generator at the Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant in Yarwun.

Unveiling the machinery alongside Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher, Councillor Burnett said this system would be used to prove the compatibility of renewable diesel with fossil diesel engines.

“The Gladstone Region has proved time and time again we are committed to developing and innovating within the energy sectors,” Cr Burnett said.

“As the move into a commercial renewable diesel system becomes a reality, it again highlights the region’s strategic advantages to provide the space for further advancements within the industry.”

The Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant uses biomass and waste material such as sugarcane bagasse and prickly acacia as feedstock to produce biocrude oil, which is then refined into saleable kerosene and diesel products.

The pilot plant aligns with the objectives of the Queensland Government’s Biofutures Roadmap and Action Plan; stimulating an industrial biotechnology revolution in the state.

The unveiling today took place in partnership with Southern Oils. The engine was donated by Scania.