Mackay Regional Council is optimistic about the future of bioenergy and has welcomed a delegation of experts to the region.
The international guests took a detour from the Bioenergy Australia conference in Brisbane to be granted a tour of Mackay’s biorefining plant sites today.
They represent the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 42 Biorefining Group.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the bioenergy sector was growing rapidly and there was a lot of opportunity for the Mackay region.
“By 2020, the global bio-based market is expected to be worth more than a trillion US dollars,’’ the Mayor said.
“There is no doubt it is a key industry of the future and Mackay is at the forefront of Australia’s biofutures.
“Our region is well positioned to capitalise on this growing market, given its access to feedstock, notably sugar.
“We have one of Queensland’s two operating ethanol plants in the Wilmar BioEthanol Sarina Distillery.
“Mackay is also home of the QUT Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant co-located with Mackay Sugar.
“Mackay Sugar Ltd currently provides more than a third of Mackay’s electricity through its co-generation electricity plant fuelled by bagasse.
“Sugar Australia’s Racecourse Refinery is Australia’s newest and most advanced sugar refinery and can produce up to 420,000 tonnes per annum.”
Mackay Regional Council’s Economic Development program worked with the Department of State Development to facilitate the delegation’s visit to Mackay.
