A Mi’kmaw community in Cape Breton is making a significant investment in innovative technology aimed at converting seawater into eco-friendly jet fuel. Eskasoni First Nation, as the majority owner of a joint venture named eFuels Mi’kmaq Limited, is injecting $1.5 million into the project, set to establish a pilot facility on their owned land in Sydney harbor.
Bertram Bernard, a council member and head of Eskasoni Corporate Services, highlighted the venture’s dual benefit of creating local employment opportunities for band members while playing a significant role in an expanding sector. Speaking at the Sarah Denny Cultural Centre in Eskasoni, Bernard emphasized the community’s commitment to sustainable stewardship of natural resources.
The newly established eFuels Mi’kmaq intends to harness hydrogen from seawater and extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce drop-in fuel, compatible with standard engines. The process aims to rely on wind energy from both onshore and offshore sources as they become accessible.
In collaboration with Aeon Blue, an enterprise that transitioned from the U.S. to Sydney to leverage federal incentives and research facilities at Cape Breton University’s Verschuren Centre, the joint venture underscores the importance of Indigenous involvement. Lark Meadow, Aeon Blue’s CEO and co-founder, stressed the ongoing partnership from pilot testing to full-scale production, emphasizing the joint growth of facilities.
Deois Ua Cearnaigh, co-founder and an electrochemist, highlighted the well-established concept of separating hydrogen from seawater and combining it with carbon dioxide to generate various fuel types. However, the patented process he developed enhances efficiency and scalability, positioning it as a commercially viable solution.
While the technology not only sequesters more carbon than it utilizes, the surplus carbon dioxide will be stored, possibly underground or through other methods yet to be determined. The decision to focus on jet fuel production stems from the increasing demand for sustainable aviation fuel.
The move to Cape Breton was deemed strategic by Aeon Blue due to government incentives, superior laboratory facilities at the Verschuren Centre, and the region’s conducive geography for the project. The venture envisions training up to 12 Eskasoni band members in engineering, operations, and management next year, with the potential for 80 permanent positions upon full commercialization.
The pilot project at Eskasoni’s Sydport site is slated to commence fuel production next year, with plans for expansion and full commercial operations by 2030. Meadow outlined the need for additional land for large-scale operations, reiterating the commitment to remain along Cape Breton’s coastline. Steve Parsons, Eskasoni’s corporate division CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, citing its positive impact on the community’s economic prospects.