The company behind a proposed sustainable aviation fuel plant just south of the Tri-Cities has recruited more members to its team to make the plant a reality.

SkyNRG recently selected Technip Energies, Sasol and Topsoe as partners for initial engineering activities for Project Wigeon, the company’s name for the proposed facility.

The project has reached a critical phase in its development, and the three partners are necessary to keep it moving forward, company officials said in a release.

“Together, we are combining proven technologies with deep engineering and project execution expertise to further develop a permitted, design-ready project and lay the foundations for commercial-scale advanced (sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF) production in the U.S.,” said Steve Drennan, co-president and project director for SkyNRG Americas.

SkyNRG’s facility, located at the Port of Walla Walla’s Wallula Gap Business Park, will convert gaseous feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel using chemical processes. The company paid $10.7 million for the property in 2024.

Once operating, the facility will produce an estimated 50 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel annually. It already has agreements in place with those wanting to buy its fuels.

SkyNRG has not released details about construction costs for the facility. Company officials have said construction will create up to 600 jobs and the facility itself about 100 jobs once production begins in 2029.  

Topsoe’s and Sasol’s agreements with SkyNRG have them providing engineering design, technical services and technology licenses, specifically for use in creating sustainable aviation fuel from various sources and processes.

Technip, which SkyNRG has previously worked with, also has provided support to Topsoe and Sasol in helping them deliver their technology for the market.