The Premier has visited Viva Energy’s Corio refinery to announce a feasibility study into expanded renewable diesel blend processing at the site.
The federal government announced $10 million for studies into refining capabilities across the country, set to be co-funded by states and territories.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the Viva Energy proposal will include co-processing diesel with Victorian inputs like canola oil.
“Viva Energy is a big employer here in Geelong, it’s a big part of Geelong and Victoria’s manufacturing industry and so, as we look to securing fuel supply, it’s also backing jobs, its backing the manufacturing industry here in Geelong and that’s why we have taken this immediate action,” she said.
“This is about investing in not just Viva Energy’s future here in Geelong, it’s Geelong’s future. It’s the future for working families here who rely on the good, secure manufacturing jobs here at Viva.”
The government said the refinery is not only important locally, but across the nation.
“As one of Australia’s two oil refineries, Viva has a critical role in our future fuel security, and we understand that we’ve got a role to play as the Victorian Government to partner with them to secure that into the future,” the Premier said.
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said they will need around $8 million dollars to complete the study.
“We’re also very conscious of the critical role in helping to support energy transition to move to renewables, particularly to help provide solutions for parts of the industry where renewable energies are harder to come by,” he said.
“Having lower carbon fuels will play a really important role in a transition to more long-term, 100 per cent renewable fuels into the future.”
