Southern Energy Renewables announced it will invest $1.4 billion to develop a green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility that will convert the region’s abundant wood-waste biomass into some of the lowest lifecycle-carbon fuels on the market, leveraging Louisiana’s established energy infrastructure, innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce.
“Louisiana has the assets to lead the next era of energy, and Southern Energy Renewables is proof,” President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht said. "This remarkable project builds on the state's industrial strengths, skilled workforce, and global logistics assets to bring a first-of-its-kind sustainable jet fuel and methanol facility to St. Charles Parish. It will create high-wage jobs while advancing lower-carbon fuels that help modernize the aviation industry.”
The company is expected to create 120 direct new jobs with an average salary of $97,267, which is 5% above the average St. Charles Parish wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 394 indirect new jobs, for a total of 514 potential new job opportunities in the Southeast Region.
“Louisiana’s energy leadership is rooted in our ability to couple emerging technologies alongside the industries that have long powered our state,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Southern Energy Renewables’ plans build on that strength by bringing advanced fuel production and high-quality jobs to St. Charles Parish. This project expands the scope of our energy sector and reinforces Louisiana’s role in the nation’s energy dominance.”
The new production facility located near hydrogen supply and key logistics infrastructure is Southern’s first commercial-scale development in Louisiana as it prepares for a proposed merger with DevvStream, a carbon management and monetization firm.
“Louisiana is a vital partner in advancing our production model that includes the conversion of regional wood-waste biomass sourcing, fuel production, and aviation and maritime offtake to create a first-of-its-kind platform with the potential to compete on a global stage and reduce the global reliance on China for clean fuels,” Southern Energy Renewables CEO Jay Patel said. “With support from LED and other local partners, our roadmap is built to deliver fuels at an industrial scale with a clear cost advantage, while creating new jobs, expanding the local economy, and strengthening America’s energy leadership to meet growing demand.”
Southern Energy Renewables is a U.S.-based developer of biomass-to-fuels projects. The St. Charles Parish facility represents the company’s first commercial-scale development in Louisiana.
"We are excited to welcome Southern Renewable Energy to St. Charles Parish,” St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell said. "Projects like this continue to demonstrate the industry's confidence in our community, our workforce, and our strategic location along the Mississippi River. This investment will continue to strengthen our economy, support job creation, and ensure our parish remains a leader in alternative fuel and energy production.”
Pre-construction planning and site development activities on the project are underway. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027 with production anticipated in late 2029.
To win the project in St. Charles, the state of Louisiana offered Southern Energy Renewables a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant for infrastructure improvements. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption program.