Media Release & Interview Alert - 10 March 2026
With global tensions and supply chain disruptions placing renewed focus on Australia’s fuel resilience, defence, aviation and energy leaders are examining how the country could strengthen its sovereign fuel capability.
Australia currently imports more than 90 per cent of its liquid fuels and holds only weeks of supply if global imports were disrupted, highlighting the strategic vulnerability of relying heavily on international supply chains.
The Renewable Fuels Summit (10-12 March, Sydney) this week is bringing together industry, government and defence stakeholders to explore how Australia could produce sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon liquid fuels domestically, supporting both aviation decarbonisation and national fuel resilience.
A dedicated sessions on Thursday will feature Defence representative, Brigadier Mark Baldock, Director General Fuel Capability, Department of Defence, discussing fuel security and the strategic importance of resilient supply chains for aviation and logistics.
Discussions across the program will examine fuel sovereignty, aviation fuel supply, investment pathways and the role domestic production could play in strengthening Australia’s long-term strategic resilience.
Bioenergy Australia CEO Shahana McKenzie is available for interview.
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MEDIA RELEASE - 10 March 2026
Global capital converges in Sydney as $10 billion renewable fuels opportunity moves into delivery phase
International investors, global market analysts and senior policymakers will gather at Sydney Town Hall this week for the 2026 Renewable Fuels Summit, marking a shift in Australia’s renewable fuels sector from ambition to delivery.
Analysis of the sector shows Australia has sufficient feedstock to underpin a $10 billion-a-year industry supporting more than 26,000 new jobs, strengthening energy security and accelerating the nation’s net zero transition.
Held from 10 to 12 March, the Summit will bring together more than 60 speakers, including over 20 international representatives from the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Capital providers, project developers, certification bodies and infrastructure leaders will meet alongside Federal and State Ministers to examine what it will take to move projects from concept to commercial scale.
The program spans the full renewable fuels value chain, from agricultural and waste feedstock suppliers through to technology providers, refiners, infrastructure operators, customers and offtakers across aviation, heavy transport and gas markets.
International capital providers and global market analysts will outline the pricing signals, financing models and risk frameworks shaping renewable fuels deployment. Financing discussions will include the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Deutsche Bank, ING and Kerogen Capital, alongside analysis of global biomethane and sustainable aviation fuel markets. Sessions will focus on bankability, de-risking capital, certification integrity and the policy settings required to unlock large-scale deployment. A private Austrade-led investment networking component will also connect selected project developers with Australian and international capital.
Ministerial participation will span all three days:
- The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change & Energy, will provide a video address
- The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and the Environment, will deliver a ministerial welcome on Day 2
- The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, WA Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West, will deliver a welcome address on Day 3
- The Hon Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority, will join the Day 3 opening panel
- The Hon Simon Watts, New Zealand Minister of Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for Local Government, and Minister of Revenue will speak on Day 3.
Senior leaders from aviation and infrastructure, including Sydney Airport and Qantas, will examine the commercial signals shaping low carbon liquid fuels, alongside Defence representation through Brigadier Mark Baldock, Director General Fuel Capability. Across renewable gas, sustainable aviation fuel, feedstock development, waste integration and carbon accounting, the program will explore how Australia positions itself in emerging global supply chains.
Bioenergy Australia CEO Shahana McKenzie said the 2026 Summit reflects a sector entering a decisive stage, “Australia has moved beyond early-stage discussion. The focus now is on commercial deployment, bankability and global competitiveness,”
“We have abundant agricultural and waste feedstocks, established refining capability and growing customer demand across aviation, transport and gas markets. The opportunity is not just emissions reduction. It is for regional jobs, domestic fuel security and long-term industrial capability.”
“We are seeing strong international interest in Australia’s renewable fuels potential, particularly as global markets tighten certification frameworks and demand credible carbon accounting. Investors are looking for clear policy signals, infrastructure readiness and scalable feedstock pathways.”
“The Summit brings capital, government and industry into the same room to test what it will take to deliver projects at scale. That alignment is critical if Australia is to secure investment and play a serious role in global low carbon fuel markets.” concluded McKenzie.
Bioenergy Australia is the peak national body committed to accelerating Australia’s bioeconomy and is the founder of both the Low Carbon Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand and the Renewable Gas Alliance, collectively representing more than 450 stakeholders across feedstock suppliers, fuel and gas producers, project developers, customers, researchers and government.
The Renewable Fuels Summit is APAC’s annual forum focused on accelerating collaboration and investment across renewable natural gas and low carbon liquid fuels, with more than 30 keynotes, panels and technical sessions across three days. For more information go to renewablefuels.org.au
ENDS
Media enquiries & registration: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | [email protected]
Available for interview: Shahana McKenzie, CEO, Bioenergy Australia
Contact details:
Media enquiries & registration: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | [email protected]
