Zero Petroleum eyes renewables rich South Australia for green fuels plant

British synthetic fuels developer Zero Petroleum has signed an agreement with the South Australian government as part of the company’s plans to build a synthetic fuel plant in the state with production to begin as early as 2026.

Zero Petroleum, or just Zero, was founded in 2020 by former F1 racing engineer and executive Paddy Lowe and subject expert Nilay Shah, a professor of process systems engineering at Imperial College London.

Zero has developed and manufactures whole-blend and 100% fossil free synthetic fuels – including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Production utilises direct air capture (DAC) carbon dioxide and green hydrogen to create fuels which are intended for use in an array of hard-to-abate sectors – including the aviation industry and motor racing series such as Formula 1.

The Oxfordshire-based company attended the Adelaide Motorsport Festival with a motorcycle powered by the company’s synthetic racing fuel, and this week said it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the South Australian government to explore future investment opportunities in the state.

Zero has proposed the development of a commercial-scale production plant which would combine its technology with green hydrogen, renewable power, and carbon capture.

South Australia’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan, part of the State Prosperity Project, has attracted Zero’s attention for its proposed plant.

If development of such a project proceeds, the plant would produce between 6- to 12-million litres of 100% carbon neutral gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel each year – capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60,000 tonnes annually.

The proposed production plant would also create more than 150 jobs during construction and up to 30 full-time plant operations and commercial jobs – backed by further engineering, technical, and trade needs.

“The government of South Australia has transformed the region into a global hub of renewable solar and wind power development, and Zero is excited by the prospect of joining its thriving green hydrogen economy,” said Paddy Lowe, whose career in F1 saw him work for iconic teams including Williams, McLaren, and Mercedes over a span of more than 30 years, and participate in 12 World Championships and 158 race wins.

“Zero’s synthetic solution drops into any engine without alterations, so whether you’re powering an exotic motorbike or critical transportation infrastructure, the result will be superior carbon-neutral performance. The future is bright for synthetic fuel in South Australia.”

While it only took Zero around a year to produce its breakthrough carbon neutral synthetic fuels, the company has already secured several high-profile partnerships and successes.

Zero secured £200,000 in seed funding in the middle of 2021 from an investor syndicate including 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill. In late 2021, the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) undertook a world-first, Guiness record-breaking flight using Zero’s synthetic fuels in an Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft flown by Group Captain Peter Hackett.

Zero opened the world’s first fully featured synthetic fuel plant, Plant Zero.1, in 2023, and signed a collaboration agreement with American aircraft manufacturer Boeing to accelerate the supply of sustainable aviation fuels.

And just last month, Zero announced that it will partner with F1 racing team Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber – the current sponsor-riddled name for the Swiss motorsport engineering company Sauber.