In a groundbreaking move, Simply Blue Group, a leading clean energy developer, has announced its plan to transform the former Goldboro Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) site in Nova Scotia into a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub. This development marks the company’s strategic expansion into North America, further positioning Nova Scotia as a leader in renewable energy and sustainable fuel production.
Transforming Goldboro Into a Renewable Energy Hub
The newly secured 755-acre site in Goldboro will be developed into a Renewable Energy Park (REP), producing around 150,000 metric tons of SAF per year. The project will utilize renewable energy from Simply Blue Group’s nearby solar and wind farms in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s, connected via a dedicated transmission line. This ensures a steady flow of self-produced green energy for the production process.
The facility will also benefit from Nova Scotia’s abundant sustainable biomass resources, such as residual biomass from the forestry industry, which contains essential carbon and hydrogen required for SAF production. The project will not only support the aviation sector’s decarbonization efforts but also contribute to the local forestry industry by creating a stable, long-term market for residual biomass.
Advancing Nova Scotia’s Green Economy
Simply Blue Group’s SAF hub is expected to play a crucial role in Nova Scotia’s green economy, benefiting multiple industries. As Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, noted, “This industry will help us, and our global partners fight climate change, and it will grow our green economy… They’re going to make a big difference in the transportation sector with aviation and marine fuel.”
The development is also poised to support local forestry through sustainable woodlot management. Todd Burgess of Forest Nova Scotia emphasized that the project will allow woodlot owners to better manage their lands, making them more resilient to climate-related disasters like wildfires.
SAF: A Game-Changer for Sustainable Aviation
SAF has gained global attention as a key solution to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint. Simply Blue Group’s co-founder and CEO, Hugh Kelly, highlighted the importance of SAF in combating climate change. “SAF is a drop-in fuel that matches the performance of conventional jet fuel while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.”
This project aligns with the broader push for decarbonizing the transportation sector, which accounts for nearly 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions globally. With Canada consuming approximately 6.5 million metric tons of jet fuel annually, resulting in about 20 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, the adoption of SAF at scale is critical for achieving emission reduction targets.
A Path Towards Net Zero
This project has received significant backing from both local and international stakeholders, including Invest in Canada. CEO Laurel Broten praised the project’s potential, stating, “Simply Blue Group’s renewable energy park is an exciting and transformative project… Tapping into the province’s existing resources and enormous potential, the REP is poised to innovate and create new opportunities in this vital industry.”
VURDHAAN’s Role in Supporting Sustainable Fuels
At VURDHAAN, we are actively engaged in advancing the global adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). We work closely with organizations and stakeholders to provide expert guidance on SAF production, regulatory compliance, and implementation strategies that align with global sustainability targets. As projects like Simply Blue Group’s SAF hub in Nova Scotia gain traction, VURDHAAN continues to support similar initiatives that aim to decarbonize aviation and other transportation sectors, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.