Jubilee Sawmill’s renewable energy upgrade – stage one operational

OneFortyOne has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy investment at the Jubilee Sawmill in Mount Gambier, with phase 1 of its co-generation project completed and the new fuel handling system now successfully operational.

The fuel handling system was constructed and started up during the 2025/26 summer shutdown. It is now fully operational transporting waste wood fibre residue to the existing boiler in the steam plant.  This marks the first major step toward the broader A$88 million biomass powered cogeneration system that will enable the site to generate its own renewable electricity.

Jubilee Sawmill General Manager Nigel Boyd said the staged delivery model is central to ensuring reliability and long-term operational performance. “Phase 1 was all about getting the fuel handling system commissioned early so we can run it, test it, and refine it well before connecting it to the new boiler,” Nigel said.

“Breaking the project into stages avoids commissioning one large system at once. It means major components can be proven before integration, which reduces risk and delivers a more reliable outcome for the sawmill.”

OneFortyOne Engineering Manager Andrew White said the new system is a major upgrade of the sawmill’s ageing infrastructure. “We had our old conveyor for about 70 years, and it was approaching the end of its life. The new fuel handling system is safer, more efficient, and has the capacity to store and move significantly larger volumes of wood fibre,” Andrew said.

“We can produce fuel faster than we consume it; four days of production gives us seven days of fuel, so the new system essentially acts as a large, flexible storage solution that supports potential growth.”

Designed in‑house, the system has been built for the future. “We sized it for where the mill could be in the future, not just for our needs today,” Andrew said. “As log volumes increase, so does the energy required to dry and process them. This system creates a circular energy loop where increased log intake generates residue that becomes renewable fuel powering the sawmill.”

OneFortyOne Project Manager Mick Geraghty noted the importance of local businesses working together on the project. “A number of local contractors worked with us to deliver the installation, and they should be proud of the outcome,” Mick said, “It’s a significant piece of infrastructure and an example of the capability we have in the region.”

With Phase 1 complete, the project now moves into the main construction stage of the co‑generation plant. Civil works are well underway, including earthworks and site preparation. Major equipment installation will follow.

This project marks a major step toward OneFortyOne’s 2030 emissions reduction target, eliminating Scope 2 emissions across its Australian sawmill operations.

By converting waste fibre into renewable energy and moving Jubilee off the grid, OneFortyOne will cut emissions while creating a cleaner, self-sufficient site for the future.

Source & image credit: OneFortyOne