Simply Blue Group has announced plans to develop a green hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Expected to begin construction in 2026 and become operational by 2029, the project will utilise onshore wind and solar capacity to supply electricity to the green hydrogen and SAF production facility.
Additionally, Simply Blue will use the region’s residual biomass in the production process, potentially generating up to 150,000 tonnes per year of SAF.
The Irish firm secured 755 acres of land in Goldboro, which will be connected to its solar and wind farms in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s via dedicated transmission lines.
Michael Galvin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Hydrogen and Sustainable Fuels, said, “A lot of work has gone on in the background with three years of due diligence and engineering completed.”
Galvin added, “We have already signed a supply agreement with Wagner Forest NS to act as an agent in sourcing 700,000 tonnes of green biomass per annum.”
Whilst SAF can be produced from biomass via the Fischer-Tropsch process, adding more hydrogen capacity from another source can improve the yield of the process.
Todd Burgess, Interim Executive Director at Forest Nova Scotia, praised the impact the project will have on the region’s forestry industry.
“By providing a long-term market for residual biomass, Simply Blue 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.”
Tony Rushton, Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, claimed the region is “poised to become a leader in green hydrogen.”
Rushton added, “They’re [Simply Blue] 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 by healthy and strong.”
In April (2024), EverWind Fuels announced it had completed the front-end engineering design (FEED) study for its 240,000 tonnes per year green hydrogen and ammonia plant, located in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia.
Read more:EverWind announces FEED study completion on large-scale green ammonia plant
