Canada is taking another large step forward in the quest to find clean, renewable energy sources with construction moving forward on the country’s largest biodiesel plant.
Slated to be completed and operational by this fall, the Great Lakes Biodiesel Plant will be located in Welland, Ontario.
At peak capacity, the plant will be capable of producing 170 million litres of biodiesel each year. The organic fuel, which will be made primarily from Canadian-made vegetable oils such as soybean oil and canola oil, will be used to complement or even fully replace petroleum-based diesel fuels.
Great Lakes Biodiesel has chosen TWD Technologies for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 13,300 square foot facility, which will be located on a site stretching over 16 acres.
“We are thrilled to be part of a project that will help improve Canada’s fuel supply,” said Scott Wilson of TWD Technologies. “Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that is certain to be a key part of the world’s energy supply solution.”
The plant has been approved by Canada’s ecoENERGY Program, which is under the auspices of Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN). NRCAN aims to lower Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and find green energy solutions, and the ecoENERGY Program looks to help the agency meet those goals by calling for two per cent of all diesel fuel to consist of renewable resources.
“Great Lakes Biodiesel is proud to be working with TWD and other highly skilled workers in the Niagara region to complete the plant,” said Great Lakes Biodiesel CEO Barry Kramble. ”We believe TWD brings invaluable experience, having worked on other large refinery projects to oversee the construction completion of our plant.”
While the plant itself is expected to have a small staff of roughly 10 people, it will produce jobs in the agriculture sector as demand for crops that be converted into biofuel grows.
“The Grain Farmers of Ontario look forward to the Great Lakes Biodiesel plant opening this fall,” said Grain Farmers of Ontario CEO Barry Senft. “We see great potential for biodiesel in the province through the proven environmental benefits from lower emissions and the opportunities it brings through expanded markets to our 28,000 farmer members. We would like to see a two percent biodiesel mandate implemented by our provincial government to encourage even further development of this kind in Ontario.”
Construction of the plant, which was approved late last year, is well underway.
