Bligh announces another ethanol plus for the state

The Beattie Government’s commitment to developing an ethanol industry took another step forward today when the Coordinator-General declared Primary Energy Pty Limited’s Ethanol Bio-Refinery at Pinkenba a ‘significant project’, Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said today.

The capital cost of the project is estimated at $150 million with approximately 300 jobs during the construction period and 50 jobs during operation.

“Primary Energy has signed a Heads of Agreement with Graincorp for supply of all grain requirements to the Pinkenba plant,” she said.

“Primary Energy also has a Memorandum of Understanding with BP to supply all ethanol from the plant to BP.

“The State Government proposed mandate for 5% ethanol use in fuel will require the production of 225ML per year of ethanol. The Pinkenba Refinery could deliver 71% of this requirement,” she said.

Primary Energy Pty Limited’s proposal is to establish a dry milling ethanol bio-refinery on an existing industrial site at Pinkenba.

At full production, the Bio-Refinery will process up to 400,000 tonnes of grain feedstock a year to produce approximately 160ML of fuel grade ethanol, 240,000 tonnes of fertiliser, 16,000 tonnes of aqueous ammonia and up to 28MW of green electricity.

Primary Energy Pty Limited is privately owned by Matthew Kelley, who is the sole director and shareholder of the company. The company is specifically established to develop ethanol plants in Australia.

Primary Energy chairman is Mr Ian Kiernan AO, founder of Clean Up Australia.

“ A closed water management system will operate for the plant,” said Ms Bligh.

“All waste water from the various sections of the Bio-Refinery will be treated on-site using reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration treatment facilities.

“Recycled water and grey water will be utilised where possible as a source of make up water for cooling towers and other areas requiring process water.

“In addition, the plant will also collect rainwater from the roofs of on-site buildings to use in the process,” she said.

6 December 2006

Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900