Kalfresh’s Kalbar renewable energy facility has reached a significant milestone, receiving Scenic Rim Regional Council development approval.
The Council approval gives Kalfresh the greenlight to deliver all stages of the project, which will anchor the Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct at Kalbar and produce 24/7 clean power and renewable natural gas fuel.
The bioenergy facility will use anaerobic digestion to convert agricultural waste, such as vegetable offcuts and dairy and chicken manure, into dispatchable electricity, renewable natural gas, food grade biogenic CO2 and natural fertiliser for use on farms.
Kalfresh CEO Richard Gorman says the Council approval is an important and crucial step in realising the project, which has been more than seven years in the making.
“I first saw technology like this overseas in Europe,” Mr Gorman said.
“It just made so much sense to be able to use the waste streams of agriculture to generate energy. I met farmers who were happy and who had diversified their income. Since then, we have been focused on delivering this project at Kalfresh.
“Receiving Council approval is a significant milestone. It means we can start building and expect to be generating the first clean energy by mid 2027, if not sooner.
“We have worked closely with the State Government’s Office of the Coordinator-General and the council to realise this vision.”
The Bioenergy Facility will be delivered in stages and at full capacity will avoid up to 430,000T of CO2 emissions and could power up to 31,000 homes, or fuel up to 98-million bus and truck kilometres.
The facility will also power the 40ha Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct, which will be built around Kalfresh’s existing Cunningham Highway site.
“Bioenergy technology is a practical, proven, closed-loop solution that will support our local community and Queensland’s energy security,” Mr Gorman said.
“The clean energy produced at Kalbar can be delivered in multiple forms – as electricity, renewable natural gas and food grade biogenic CO2. The system will also produce an organic fertiliser, called digestate, to replace synthetic fertilisers on our farms.
“The anaerobic digestion system is closed and fully sealed and is proven, mature technology overseas.
“We are very proud to be bringing this innovative project to life in the Scenic Rim – it’s a genuine first for Queensland. Adapting this proven technology to local agricultural conditions will strengthen the region’s resilience and open new economic opportunities for our community.”