Building America’s
energy future
one hometown at a time.
Communities tied to the economic engine of America’s sustainably managed forests today have a new economic opportunity with global impact. In central Louisiana, low carbon fuels technology leader SunGas Renewables, in partnership with C2X, is taking a leading role in the growth of the advanced biofuels industry through its flagship project, Beaver Lake Renewable Energy.
Repurposing the former International Paper site in Rapides Parish that closed in 2009, the Beaver Lake Renewable Energy project will breathe fresh life into the community. The approximately $2.4 billion facility is expected to create more than 1,150 construction jobs and more than 100 direct hire positions. The completed facility is projected to generate approximately 500,000 metric tons of green methanol per year for use as fuel and as a chemical feedstock. The Beaver Lake facility will be the first of several facilities planned by SunGas and C2X to supply green methanol.
Green methanol for marine shipping fuel is fast becoming a fuel of choice for decarbonizing the global shipping industry. Today, the world’s commercial vessels consume around 300 million tons of fuel every year making shipping accountable for around 3% of global carbon emissions, according to the Maersk McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by 2050 green methanol (bio-methanol and e-methanol) are expected to reach approximately 500 million tons per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction of the new facility is planned to begin in the second half of 2026, with operations beginning toward the end of 2028.
Renewable liquid methanol suitable for marine transportation fuel in ocean-going ships as well as feedstock for aviation fuel and chemical products.
Beaver Lake Renewable Energy LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunGas Renewables Inc., will operate the facility.
A wide variety of skilled labor positions will be required to execute this project, including welders, iron workers, carpenters, electricians, millwrights, construction equipment operators, pipefitters and general laborers. We anticipate the creation of about 1,150 jobs at peak construction.
Over 100 full-time jobs are planned for management, engineering, operations, product shipment, wood handling and maintenance for the BLRE plant. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project would result in an additional 390 new indirect jobs.
We will be updating our website and reporting regularly on our progress at Beaver Lake Renewable Energy.