Woodland Biofuels Inc. has announced plans for a $1.35 billion investment at the Port of South Louisiana to establish the world’s largest carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG) and ultra-green hydrogen facility. This Toronto-based company will use waste biomass to produce sustainable biofuels for transportation, heating, and electricity generation, positioning the project as a global leader in carbon reduction efforts.
The development will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 will focus on building the largest carbon-negative RNG facility, expected to remove 210,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. Phase 2 will see the construction of the world’s largest ultra-green hydrogen plant, which will eliminate approximately 660,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Together, these phases will make this project one of the largest carbon removal initiatives in the world, permanently removing millions of tonnes of CO2 from the environment.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
Phase 1 alone is expected to create 500 construction jobs and 110 high-paying, permanent jobs. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates that the project will generate 259 indirect jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created to 869, with 369 being permanent positions.
The facility will be located at the Globalplex multimodal terminal at the Port of South Louisiana, leveraging the region’s existing workforce and infrastructure. “Woodland is thrilled to announce that we will build the world’s largest carbon-negative RNG facility and ultra-green hydrogen plant right here in the Port of South Louisiana,” said Greg Nuttall, CEO of Woodland Biofuels. “This sustainable biofuel plant will be an economic driver for St. John Parish and beyond.”
Support from Local and State Officials
Woodland Biofuels’ investment has garnered significant support from local and state leaders. “This project will bring high-paying jobs to the people of St. John the Baptist Parish for years to come,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois. The project is expected to enhance the state’s energy diversification efforts, with Paul Matthews, CEO of the Port of South Louisiana, adding, “Woodland’s investment proves that Louisiana is leading the way in diversifying the energy industry, creating hundreds of jobs for local families.”
To support the development, LED has offered Woodland Biofuels a competitive incentives package valued at over $250 million. This includes performance-based grants, infrastructure development programs, and workforce solutions through LED FastStart. The company will also benefit from Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
A Major Step for Green Energy in Louisiana
Commercial operations for Phase 1 are set to begin in 2028. Woodland Biofuels’ project reinforces Louisiana’s commitment to sustainable energy and carbon reduction, as Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., noted: “$1.3 billion, 110 new jobs, and the production of renewable natural gas and hydrogen—this is a winning formula for everyone.”
With this project, Woodland Biofuels aims to establish deep ties with the local community, contributing to both economic growth and global sustainability.
