Fidelis Infrastructure eyes Louisiana for large renewable diesel project

Another large renewable diesel project may soon be coming to Louisiana. The state is already home to Diamond Green Diesel's plant in Norco where a major expansion to reach 675 MMgy is underway, and Renewable Energy Group's Geismar facility, which will expand from a demonstrated capacity of 90 MMgy to 340 MMgy.

Now, a 900-plus MMgy project is being evaluated by Houston-based Fidelis Infrastructure whose portfolio company, Grön Fuels LLC, seeks to establish a multiphase, decade-long project in stages at a site leased from the Port of Greater Baton Rouge on the west bank of the Mississippi River, near Port Allen.

The first phase of construction would require an investment of more than $1.25 billion. The base project would produce more than 900 MMgy of renewable diesel with an option to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from soybean oil, distillers corn oil and animal fats.

All told, the complex could involve up to $9.2 billion of total investment over several phases. A final investment decision is expected in 2021, which will determine the final cost of the project's first phase. By 2030, if the project plays out like the developers are hoping, they it could be one of the largest renewable fuel complexes in the world.

Fidelis Infrastructure is leveraging state grants and incentives to help finance the project.