Houston-based EPC firm to build solar-power, green-hydrogen plant for SAF project in Uruguay

Houston, Texas-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company Prismecs announced Oct. 1 that it has been selected to build the solar-power and green-hydrogen plant for Avalon BioEnergy Uruguay S.A.’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Uruguay, South America, which Avalon unveiled in late September.

The initiative, called an “agriculture-SAF” biorefinery by Avalon BioEnergy Uruguay—a subsidiary of U.S.-based Avalon Energy Group LLC—integrates a sustainable agricultural strategy to cultivate proprietary nonedible oilseed crops alongside green-hydrogen production through solar-powered electrolysis, establishing a low-carbon SAF supply chain.

The SAF project has a projected cost of USD$380 million and includes plans for a 100,000-metric-ton-per-year SAF production facility utilizing the hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process.

It also includes the development of a 50-megawatt solar-power plant to produce green hydrogen, a critical component for SAF production.

The project is endorsed by Uruguay’s government and ministry of environment, according to Avalon BioEnergy.

“This endorsement from the Uruguayan government is a crucial milestone for the establishment of Uruguay’s first SAF facility,” said Irshad Ahmed, the president and CEO of Auris-Avalon Group of Companies. “We are honored by the support and excited to position Uruguay as a leader in SAF production. Our aim is to leverage dedicated nonedible oilseed crops to build a sustainable feedstock supply chain contributing to net-zero goals and fostering regional economic growth.”

Gerardo Amarilla, undersecretary of Uruguay’s ministry of environment, said, “Avalon's SAF biorefinery has the potential to drive sustainable development and innovation in Uruguay. We are committed to supporting initiatives that align with our climate goals and promote clean-energy solutions. This project not only reduces our carbon footprint but also strengthens Uruguay’s position as a regional leader in green energy.”

Avalon Energy Group said it is also developing additional SAF, biodiesel and green-hydrogen projects across the U.S., India, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Kenya.