Paraguayan Government Grants ‘Free Zone Regime’ for Omega Green Biofuel Plant
(Biofuels International) The government of Paraguay has recently granted a Free Zone regime for the Omega Green project, which is being touted as the first advanced biofuels plant in the southern hemisphere.
The facility, which will be built by ECB Group at an estimated cost of $800 million (€725.7 million), will produce renewable diesel and renewable aviation kerosene. It is expected that the advanced biofuels produced will be exported to Europe and North America.
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Within the decree, President Mario Abdo Benítez highlighted key reasons for the justification of a Free Zone for the project. These included claims that the advanced biofuel facility will: boost foreign trade in the country; add value to raw materials produced in the country, such as animal fats and vegetable oils; and create jobs and bring ‘cutting edge technology’ to Paraguay.
The project was also considered to be ‘of national interest’, due to its importance and social and economic scope for Paraguay. It is expected to be the largest private investment in a single project in the country’s history, and will bring economic gains of more than $8 billion (€7.3 billion) to Paraguay within ten years.
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The Omega Green facility is expected to generate 3,000 direct jobs during construction of the plant, and around 2,400 direct and indirect jobs once operational. The facility will have an initial production capacity of 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel and kerosene.
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Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2020 and will take around 30 months to complete. More than 20,000 smallholder families in Paraguay are expected to benefit from certification programmes for the supply of raw materials. READ MORE