Riverina Oils & Bioenergy Fuel Substitution Project

The Riverina Oils & Bioenergy Fuel Substitution Project is an industrial emissions reduction project located at the Riverina Oils integrated oilseed processing facility in Bomen, approximately 10km north of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. Registered in February 2023, the project is managed by proponent Northmore Gordon Pty Ltd. The facility itself is a major industrial site within the Bomen Special Activation Precinct, operating 24 hours a day to crush and refine canola seeds into vegetable oil and protein meal.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Industrial and Commercial Emissions Reduction) Methodology Determination 2021 (ICER). This methodology credits activities that reduce emissions from industrial processes, such as upgrading equipment, improving energy efficiency, or switching fuel sources. Specific project activities listed for this registration involve fuel switching and energy efficiency, with a focus on installing electricity-generating equipment to replace existing off-grid generation with lower-emissions alternatives.

The Riverina region surrounding the site is a significant agricultural hub, characterized by a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 570mm. The landscape is dominated by canola cropping and grazing, supported by the region's fertile red-brown earth and clay loam soils. Riverina Oils & Bioenergy (ROBE) is a key player in this local ecosystem, processing over 200,000 tonnes of oilseed annually. In addition to this carbon project, the facility has recently integrated a large-scale 2.8MW solar farm to further decarbonize its energy-intensive operations.