Vast and Mabanaft advance Port Augusta green methanol project to unlock Australia’s green fuels industry
Vast Renewables (Nasdaq: VSTE) and Mabanaft have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to advance the Solar Methanol 1 (SM1) project, a concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant for green methanol production in Port Augusta, South Australia. This plant aims to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol annually. The initiative is supported by funding agreements signed in February, worth up to AUD $40 million, including AUD $19.48 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and €12.4 million from the German government. The JDA includes offtake rights for Mabanaft and aims to reduce green fuel production costs by up to 40%. The project is part of the broader HyGATE collaboration to support the hydrogen supply chain and aims to decarbonize industries like shipping and aviation.
- Joint Development Agreement with Mabanaft enhances project prospects.
- SM1 project aims to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol annually, providing a significant green fuel source.
- Supported by AUD $40 million funding agreements, including AUD $19.48 million from ARENA.
- Potential cost reduction of green fuel production by up to 40% using CSP technology.
- Project part of HyGATE collaboration, potentially enhancing international partnerships.
- Offtake rights for Mabanaft ensure secured supply for decarbonization of shipping operations.
- Funding from the German government is subject to final investment decision.
- No specific timeline provided for the completion and operationalization of the SM1 project.
- Dependence on successful execution of the JDA for future business developments.
Insights
The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between Vast Renewables and Mabanaft presents a notable step in the green fuel sector, particularly in leveraging concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) for green methanol production. The project promises a production capacity of 7,500 tonnes annually, indicating a substantial scale. With funding agreements in place, the financial viability of this venture is strengthened, especially given the support from both Australian and German governments. Financial backing of
From an environmental perspective, the production of green methanol using CSP is a significant advancement in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Methanol, as a hydrogen derivative, can help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and aviation. The use of renewable heat from Vast's CSP plant underscores the environmental benefits, potentially leading to a
The JDA between Vast and Mabanaft is a strategic move that aligns with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in the global market. Mabanaft's focus on expanding its range of sustainable energy solutions, particularly for its shipping customers, indicates a solid market opportunity. The agreement includes a framework for securing offtake rights, which not only ensures a stable demand for the produced green methanol but also positions Mabanaft as a key player in the green fuel supply chain. The potential for exports to markets like Germany enhances the growth prospects of this project. Market dynamics will be influenced by how well these companies can scale production and maintain cost efficiency, which will be important for long-term success.
SYDNEY, June 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vast (Vast Renewables Limited) (Nasdaq: VSTE), a renewable energy company planning to power green fuels production with its concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) energy systems, today announced it has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with global energy company Mabanaft to advance Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), a CSP-powered green methanol reference plant.
Located in South Australia at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub, SM1 will have the capacity to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol each year. Methanol is one of the most versatile hydrogen derivatives which, if produced using clean energy, has the potential to decarbonise several hard-to-abate industries, including shipping and aviation.
SM1 will be supplied with baseload renewable heat from Vast’s 30 MW / 288 MWh CSP plant. Using CSP can potentially reduce green fuel production costs by up to 40 per cent according to a recent report by engineering group Fichtner. The project’s success could unlock green fuels production in Australia, with potential for exports to Germany and other global markets.
The JDA sets out how the project will be developed and further underlines Vast and Mabanaft's contribution to the energy transition by combining technological, business development and commercial expertise. This comes after Vast and Mabanaft announced in February that they have signed funding agreements for SM1 for up to AUD
Vast will receive AUD
Mabanaft is actively supporting its customers’ decarbonisation by expanding its range of sustainable energy solutions. The JDA includes a framework agreement securing offtake rights for Mabanaft for future green fuels projects powered by Vast technology, allowing Mabanaft to supply its shipping customers seeking to decarbonise their operations.
Vast and Mabanaft are developing SM1 with the Solar Methanol Consortium and are supported by fellow Australian technology company Calix as Principal CO2 Supply Partner and the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI).
Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, said:
“The JDA is a significant milestone for SM1, which has the potential to demonstrate how Vast technology can unlock low-cost green fuel production to contribute to decarbonising the global shipping and aviation industries. Vast is excited to continue our partnership with Mabanaft, and the execution of this agreement is a testament to our joint commitment to pioneer green fuel production globally.”
Philipp Kroepels, Director New Energy at Mabanaft, said:
“As a leading energy solution provider, we are committed to enabling our customers’ energy transition. And we believe that methanol, in particular, can play an important role in the shipping industry, and Mabanaft is well positioned to build supply chains to meet that growing demand.”
About Vast
Vast is a renewable energy company that has developed CSP systems to generate, store and dispatch carbon free, utility-scale electricity and industrial heat, and to unlock the production of green fuels. Vast’s CSP v3.0 approach to CSP utilises a proprietary, modular sodium loop to efficiently capture and convert solar heat into these end products.
Visit www.vast.energy for more information.
About Mabanaft
Mabanaft is a leading independent and integrated energy company, providing its customers with innovative energy solutions for their transportation, heating, industrial and agricultural needs. The group is active in import, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, natural gas liquids, chemicals and biofuels, and supports its customers’ transition to cleaner fuels by providing alternative long-term solutions.
Visit www.mabanaft.com for more information.
The project "Joint project SoIMeth24: Development, construction and commissioning of a unique solar methanol production plant in Australia" is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the funding code (FKZ): 03SF0725B.
Contacts:
Vast
For Investors:
Caldwell Bailey
ICR, Inc.
VastIR@icrinc.com
For Australian media:
Nick Albrow
Wilkinson Butler
nick@wilkinsonbutler.com
For US Media:
Matt Dallas
ICR, Inc.
VastPR@icrinc.com
Forward Looking Statements
The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding SM1, Vast's future financial performance, Vast's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "project," "should," "will," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Vast management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Vast disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Vast cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Vast. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of Vast's recent business combination; costs related to that business combination; Vast's ability to manage growth; Vast's ability to execute its business plan, including the completion of the Port Augusta project (including SM1), at all or in a timely manner and meet its projections; potential litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inquiries involving Vast, including in relation to Vast's recent business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Vast's products and services. Additional risks are set forth in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the final prospectus, dated April 26, 2024, as supplemented, and other documents filed, or to be filed with the SEC by Vast. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Vast's expectations can be found in Vast's periodic filings with the SEC. Vast's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
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