MSM Milling Biomass Fuel Switch Project (Revoked)

The MSM Milling Biomass Fuel Switch Project was an industrial energy efficiency initiative located at the MSM Milling oilseed processing facility in Manildra, New South Wales. Situated approximately 45km west of Orange, the project operated within the Central West region, an area heavily defined by broadacre cropping, specifically canola and wheat, and grazing. The local environment is characterised by a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of around 600mm and fertile red earth soils that support the region's intensive agricultural output.

Registered in October 2015, the project operated under the Industrial Electricity and Fuel Efficiency methodology. The primary activity involved upgrading the facility's thermal energy systems by replacing three existing Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) boilers with a 4.88 MW biomass-fueled boiler. This boiler was designed to utilise locally sourced forestry waste, such as woodchips and sawmill by-products, to generate the steam required for canola processing. By switching from fossil fuels to renewable biomass, the project aimed to significantly reduce the facility's greenhouse gas emissions.

The project was revoked in December 2017 following the completion of a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC102303). While the ACCU project itself was closed, the biomass boiler remains a landmark installation for the Australian food processing sector. The initiative was a "cornerstone" project supported by a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and was recognised for demonstrating how large-scale agricultural manufacturers can transition to renewable thermal energy. The proponent listed for the carbon project was Climate Positive Pty Limited, likely acting as a consultant or aggregator for MSM Milling during the project's active period under the Emissions Reduction Fund.