Biofuels firm Gevo has broken ground on its first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility, called ‘Net-Zero 1,’ and located in Lake Preston, South Dakota.
The facility will be built on 245 acres of land. Site preparation has begun. The facility will be powered by wind energy and the associated wind energy project is under development. The site will also incorporate green hydrogen, made from renewable natural gas and water.
“South Dakota provides all the elements for success required for our first commercial facility, but we’re actively working to identify and develop our second site since we have supply offtake agreements that require additional capacity beyond Net-Zero 1,” said Dr. Chris Ryan, President and Chief Operating Officer. “As we build our production capacity to meet our supply obligations, we know these projects also deliver value to local farmers and communities. We’re excited to move forward and provide that value,” added Dr. Ryan.
Dr. Patrick Gruber, Gevo’s Chief Executive Officer, explained, “Building production facilities like Net-Zero 1 that will use de-fossilized energy, create a business system that rewards sustainability improvements and is equitable for all parties in the value chain is important to us. As all the elements come together, from farmers growing sustainable corn feedstock, to renewable wind power and renewable natural gas providing electricity and thermal energy for the facility, to the high-value nutrition products, corn oil, and sustainable aviation fuel leaving the gate, we expect to see our circular economy in action, increasing the sustainability of every product we make while simultaneously reducing the impact of fossil fuels.”
Net-Zero 1 is expected to produce 55 MGPY of SAF, or 65 MGPY of total hydrocarbon volumes. The initial SAF deliveries for existing supply agreements are expected to start in 2025.
Once operational, the facility is expected to employ approximately 90 full-time employees. During the construction phase, it is expected to employ some 1,000 people. The financing for the construction of the project is expected to close in 2023, when the construction will begin.
