ABEL Energy is fast-tracking the potential construction of a $1.7 billion green methanol manufacturing plant in Townsville, Queensland to supply the Port of Singapore with sustainable marine fuel.
The company has completed a tender with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for the supply of green methanol, aligning with the recently announced Australia-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor initiative.
ABEL Energy is seeking to export green methanol through the Port of Townsville and provide bunkering facilities on port land, including storage tanks, loading and unloading infrastructure, and pipelines.
“The Townsville project would seek to replicate our flagship Bell Bay Powerfuels facility in Tasmania,” ABEL Energy CEO Michael van Baarle said.
“Our green methanol production uses 100 per cent renewable power, fresh water and biomass residues, with virtually zero emissions or waste.”
Townsville’s availability of wind, solar and abundant biomass sources like sugar cane waste and invasive species make it an ideal location for ABEL Energy’s second production site, van Baarle explained.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Port of Townsville to assess the feasibility of the project, including analysing the green methanol market, defining infrastructure requirements, and working towards a Heads of Agreement.
ABEL Energy is also exploring a similar arrangement with the Port of Melbourne, having already signed an MoU with entities including Maersk, ANL and Stolthaven Terminals to establish a green methanol storage and bunkering hub.
According to ABEL Energy, the Townsville facility is targeting a final investment decision by the end of 2027, with operations potentially commencing in 2029, subject to feasibility assessments.
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