Two airlines plan to partner with Renewable Developments Australia to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) south-west of Charters Towers.

The project would involve a facility that converts bioethanol derived from sugarcane grown onsite into SAF using KBR’s proprietary PureSAF technology and drawing on renewable energy.

The facility is expected to produce up to 96 million litres of SAF annually, to be supplied to nearby airports.

Renewable Developments Australia managing director Tony D’Alessandro said the partnership with Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marked a significant milestone in the development of a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia.

“We are proud to be working with two globally recognised airlines that share our vision of creating a domestic supply of sustainable aviation fuel,” he said.

“This project is designed to deliver real, long-term emission reductions while building a new industry in regional Queensland.

“Our Ethanol to Jet SAF facility in the Charters Towers Region will be a fully integrated production site, generating sustainable fuel from bioethanol derived from locally grown sugarcane.

“Additionally, by repurposing by-products of the SAF production process to generate renewable power onsite, we are setting a new benchmark for sustainability in aviation fuel manufacturing.

“This initiative is more than just a step towards decarbonising air travel; it represents a major investment in Australia’s energy security and regional economic development.”

The project, currently in pre-final investment decision stage, aims to deliver SAF from early 2029.

It aligns with a memorandum of understanding signed by Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways in October 2024.

The MoU cemented their intent to collaborate on sustainability initiatives that aim to reduce carbon emissions in air travel, and advance the use of SAF and low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) in Australia.