Praj Industries is playing a pivotal role in advancing clean energy at Aemetis Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMTX) 65 million gallon-per-year ethanol facility in Keyes, California. The plant is undergoing a $30 million energy efficiency upgrade featuring an advanced Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) system, with Praj Industries supplying the critical low-carbon technology and equipment for the project.
The upgrade, executed by NPL Construction Co., a subsidiary of Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI), is set to significantly reduce the plant’s carbon footprint while enhancing operational efficiency. The Keyes facility, operational since 2011, has consistently leveraged Praj’s ethanol technology to deliver reliable performance, contributing to both California’s low-carbon fuel standards (LCFS) and U.S. energy security.
Supported by approximately $19.7 million in grants and tax credits from the California Energy Commission, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the IRA 45Z tax incentives, the project is scheduled for completion by Q2 2026. Once operational, the MVR system is expected to:
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Cut natural gas usage at the Keyes plant by nearly 80%
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Generate an estimated $32 million in annual cash flow from energy savings
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Achieve double-digit reductions in the carbon intensity of fuel ethanol, boosting LCFS credits
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Expand eligibility for transferable Section 45Z production tax credits
This milestone investment strengthens Aemetis’ broader decarbonization strategy, complementing its Dairy Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) program and recently approved CARB LCFS pathways. Praj Industries’ cutting-edge low-carbon solutions are driving sustainable ethanol production, reinforcing the company’s leadership in the global clean energy sector.
