Viva opens strategic diesel storage facility

A NEW strategic fuel storage facility at the Viva Energy Hub in Geelong has been officially commissioned.

Part of the federal government’s Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage Program, the new facility will play a part in safeguarding Australia’s energy security and protecting the supply chains that are the backbone of the Australian economy.

The three 30 million-litre tanks will store a collective 90 million litres of diesel, which is enough to supply all of Victoria’s diesel needs for a week.

Diesel fuel is critical for many industry sectors, including agriculture, mining, road transport, emergency management, and defence.

Diesel is also a back-up fuel for electricity generation for services such as hospitals, water and sanitation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Corio federal member Richard Marles visited the Viva Energy Hub on Friday last week to commission the tanks.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring Australia has access to the fuel we need, as we transition to net zero emissions,” he said.

“Domestic fuel security protects Australian consumers and safeguards our economy.”It is wonderful to officially commission this new storage facility here in Geelong, which also supported up to 140 jobs during its construction.”

The tanks are 45m in diameter, and their geodesic dome roofs make them nearly 30m tall.

Built by Geelong company Brockman Engineering, each tank was constructed from 600 tonnes of plate steel.

Viva Energy chief executive officer Scott Wyatt said the commissioning of the tanks marked another step in Viva Energy’s strategy to transform traditional refining operations into a modern energy hub.

“We have manufactured fuel in Australia for over 70 years here at Geelong, and this storage facility will help further strengthen our supply chains and ensure that customers have reliable access to fuels that they depend on.

“Over the longer term, we have aspirations to produce lower carbon and renewable fuels, and play a leading role in driving down emissions in the fuels that we use.

“Production of these new fuels will also greatly benefit from these new facilities.”