Zenith increases renewable fuel capacity at Portland terminal

Liquid terminal operator Zenith Energy is to handle and store three times the amount of renewable diesel at its terminal in Portland, Oregon, US.

Zenith has signed a new long-term contract with an existing customer – focussed on renewables – in the greater Portland area and says that the commitment supports its vision for the Portland terminal to handle renewable fuels. The new deal will also help the city of Portland to meet its fossil fuel reduction targets.

Zenith acquired the Portland terminal in 2017 and terminated an existing crude storage contract to concentrate on meeting increased demand along the US west coast for renewable fuels. The company says that by the end of 2021, 17 percent of the fuels stored at the terminal will be renewable, and half will be renewable by 2026. It is seeking permits to build additional capacity at the site for anticipated market increases.

“Since transportation fuels are the world’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the transition of the Portland terminal’s capacity to an increased focus on renewable fuels demonstrates the impact Oregon can make by reshaping its existing energy infrastructure.

“Because renewable diesel works with the transportation industry’s existing distribution infrastructure and engines, Oregon’s network of pipelines, storage tanks, and fuelling sites can be repurposed to rapidly scale its availability. This is a major advantage that will enable renewable diesel to replace fossil fuels faster and more affordably,” said Zenith CEO Jeff Armstrong.