The Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance (AIHA) is advocating for hemp biofuel as a homegrown answer to Australia's ongoing fuel security concerns.
Conflict in the Middle East has pushed crude oil prices beyond USD$110 (A$156) a barrel in recent weeks, lifting average unleaded petrol prices in Australian capital cities to around $2.50 per litre, while diesel has climbed past $3 a litre.
A temporary government fuel-tax cut and a brief easing of Middle East hostilities have brought some relief at the pump, though prices remain significantly higher than they were before the conflict began.
AIHA president Charles Kovess said in an interview that hemp — a crop with a 100-day growing cycle — could yield between 300 and 600 kilograms of biodiesel per hectare, making it a credible domestic fuel alternative.
"Hemp can produce two main biofuels – ethanol and biodiesel," he said.
"There is now the awareness that we can grow fuel, and what that's going to do is cause a massive explosion of demand, and that will drive a massive increase of production in Australia."
The AIHA also noted that hemp biomass can be processed into between 700 and 1,000 litres per hectare of renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel.
Kovess is scheduled to appear today before a senate inquiry examining pathways to grow the country's industrial hemp sector, and said he planned to put fuel security front and centre.
The AIHA president said hemp's versatility and short growth cycle made it well suited to strategies aimed at diversifying Australia's fuel supply.
"Australian farmers can grow a significant portion of Australia's fuel needs," he said.
Rather than calling for direct public funding, the AIHA is pushing for off-take agreements that would give farmers enough certainty to scale up production.
"We don't need government to throw a squillion dollars at this," Kovess said. "What we want is off-take agreements for what the farmers grow. We want farmers to be satisfied that what they grow will be wanted."
Australia currently has around 3,300 hectares under hemp cultivation, while the AIHA has set a target of one million hectares by 2030.
