Simply Blue Group to develop SAF hub in Nova Scotia, Canada

Approximately 755 acres of contiguous land have been secured by Simply Blue Group for development in Goldboro. (Photo: Simply Blue Group)

Simply Blue Group announced Sept. 13 the Goldboro site in Nova Scotia, Canada, formerly proposed as the Goldboro Liquified Natural Gas Project, as the location for its major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub.

This development marks a significant step in the company’s strategic expansion into North America, according to Simply Blue Group.

Approximately 755 acres of contiguous land have been secured by Simply Blue Group for development in Goldboro: 266 acres previously owned by Pieridae and 489 acres owned by the municipality of the district of Guysborough.

The project in Goldboro will utilize renewable electricity generated from Simply Blue Group’s solar and wind farms in the municipality of the district of St. Mary’s.

A dedicated transmission line will connect these facilities, ensuring a seamless flow of self-produced power.

This renewable energy, along with Nova Scotia’s sustainable biomass and water resources, will be utilized to produce approximately 150,000 metric tons of SAF per year, according to Simply Blue Group.

“Nova Scotia is poised to become a leader in green hydrogen,” said Tory Rushton, the minister of natural resources and renewables. “This industry will help us, and our global partners fight climate change, and it will grow our green economy in Nova Scotia with benefits for generations to come. We’re pleased to see Simply Blue Group investing in this budding new industry in Nova Scotia. They’re going to make a big difference in the transportation sector with aviation and marine fuel. And as a new market for our low-grade wood fiber, they will help our forestry sector be healthy and strong.”

Nova Scotia has an abundance of residual biomass—renewable organic material that comes from plants—which contains carbon and hydrogen, both of which are required to make SAF. 

“By providing a stable, long-term market for residual biomass, Simply Blue Group is allowing Nova Scotian woodlot owners the ability to manage their woodlots better, making them healthier and more resilient to wildfires and other disasters brought on by our changing climate,” said Todd Burgess, the interim executive director at Forest Nova Scotia.

Hugh Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Simply Blue Group, added, “We are very excited to be developing the Goldboro site into a renewable energy park. The sustainable aviation fuel that we will produce there will play an essential part in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change. SAF is a drop-in fuel that matches the performance of conventional jet fuel while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by approximately 90 percent compared to conventional jet fuel.”

Michael Galvin, Simply Blue Group’s chief operating officer of hydrogen and sustainable fuels, emphasized the importance of the project.

“It’s great to be finally launching this project,” he said. “A lot of work has gone on in the background with three years of due diligence and engineering completed, and we have already signed a supply agreement with Wagner Forest NS Ltd. to act as an agent in sourcing 700,000 tons of green biomass per annum.”

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Canada currently consumes approximately 6.5 million tons of jet fuel per year, resulting in approximately 20 million tons per year of carbon dioxide emissions.