Cenagen disputes claim that $1b Kandos project is prohibited

Cenagen, the company behind a proposed $1 billion waste-to-fuel plant in Kandos, has disputed claims from New South Wales planning officials that the project is prohibited under current regulations.

Kiersten Fishburn, secretary of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, stated during budget estimates that the project is not currently permitted in that specific area. However, Cenagen argues that its advanced gasification process does not constitute ‘energy recovery’—which is prohibited by regulation—because it does not burn waste or syngas to produce electricity or heat.

Instead, the company intends to use the syngas as a chemical feedstock to manufacture methanol for industrial use and carbon dioxide for greenhouse vegetable production. Cenagen maintains the development can proceed via the existing State Significant Development pathway without requiring regulatory changes or new exemptions. The company is currently finalizing a Scoping Report to request Environmental Assessment Requirements for a future Environmental Impact Statement.