The Western Australian Government has announced the successful demonstration of Aurora Algae’s algae production facility in Karratha, calling it a major development in the process towards using algae as a future biodiesel source in the state.

 

Supported by a $2 million grant from the Low Emissions Energy Development (LEED) fund, the facility produced 40 times as much protein per unit as soya beans, while using 100 times less fresh water.

 

State Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the project was a significant step towards finding alternative forms of fuel.

 

"Aurora Algae’s project has multiple benefits - it does not compete with food production as some biofuel sources do and has beneficial by-products that help offset biofuel production costs,” Mr Marmion said.

 

“The completion of the project underlines the importance of the LEED fund in supporting the development of new, low emissions technologies and renewable energy supplies to reduce the State’s carbon footprint.”