Largest biofuels plant expected to come up in Paraguay

A biofuels plant set to be the largest in South America has been announced in Paraguay. The Omega Green plant aims to produce renewable diesel and renewable aviation fuel, as well as processing by-products, including propane, butane, naphtha and acid gases. It is expected to start operating in 2025 and will be located near the city of Villeta, 45 kilometres south of the capital, Asunción.

The plant will be located in an industrial complex of 384 hectares, according to the environmental impact assessment study.

The project envisages a total production volume of 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel and by-products, according to the environmental impact assessment.

BSBIOS/ECB Group has already signed contracts with Shell and BP for the supply of biofuels that should account for 90% of the plant’s capacity, a representative of Paraguay’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce The company will also seek to offer its production to the domestic market, depending on demand.

The plant will feature an electrolysis unit to generate hydrogen using water and electricity from clean, renewable sources; this hydrogen is then used to treat the biomass raw materials in the fuel production process. The adjacent Paraguay River will be the main source of water, which will be supplied to the plant via dedicated pipes.