UK opens new round of funding for SAF plants and consultation on blending mandate
The United Kingdom government has opened the second application round of its £165 million (5m) Advanced Fuels Fund that provides financial support for the construction of sustainable aviation fuel plants in the country. The grant funding is to be provided to first-of-a-kind commercial and demonstration scale projects at all development stages up to the start of construction. In the first round, five projects – Alfanar Energy (Lighthouse Green Fuels), LanzaTech UK (DRAGON), Fulcrum BioEnergy (NorthPoint) and Velocys (Altalto and e-Alto) – received funding totalling £82.3 million. The government is aiming to have five plants under construction by 2025 to…
The United Kingdom government has opened the second application round of its £165 million (5m) Advanced Fuels Fund that provides financial support for the construction of sustainable aviation fuel plants in the country. The grant funding is to be provided to first-of-a-kind commercial and demonstration scale projects at all development stages up to the start of construction. In the first round, five projects – Alfanar Energy (Lighthouse Green Fuels), LanzaTech UK (DRAGON), Fulcrum BioEnergy (NorthPoint) and Velocys (Altalto and e-Alto) – received funding totalling £82.3 million. The government is aiming to have five plants under construction by 2025 to…
Industry faces additional €820 billion cost to decarbonise European aviation in line with net zero by 2050
To achieve the European aviation sector’s ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, additional expenditures amounting to €820 billion (0bn) are required between 2018 and 2050, finds a study commissioned by five industry associations. These additional or ‘premium’ costs, mostly to be spent on alternative fuels, are on top of business-as-usual (BAU) expenditures, such as fleet renewal, which are required for the net zero transition. BAU expenditures over the 2018-2050 period are estimated at €1,068 billion, bringing the total expenditures towards reaching net zero at just under €1.9 trillion. The report just published, ‘The price of net…
To achieve the European aviation sector’s ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, additional expenditures amounting to €820 billion (0bn) are required between 2018 and 2050, finds a study commissioned by five industry associations. These additional or ‘premium’ costs, mostly to be spent on alternative fuels, are on top of business-as-usual (BAU) expenditures, such as fleet renewal, which are required for the net zero transition. BAU expenditures over the 2018-2050 period are estimated at €1,068 billion, bringing the total expenditures towards reaching net zero at just under €1.9 trillion. The report just published, ‘The price of net…
Ryanair starts using SAF on all flights from Amsterdam’s “quieter and cleaner” Schiphol
Ryanair has commenced using a 40% blend of sustainable aviation fuel in all its operations from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport through a new agreement with renewable fuel producer Neste, advancing the carrier’s goal of 12.5% SAF use across all its flights by 2030. The European low-cost airline did not disclose details of the volume of fuel to be acquired or the term of the agreement. The deal builds upon a recent MoU between Ryanair and Shell through which the energy company will supply SAF at more than 200 European airports served by Ryanair between 2025 and 2030. Neste has started…
Ryanair has commenced using a 40% blend of sustainable aviation fuel in all its operations from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport through a new agreement with renewable fuel producer Neste, advancing the carrier’s goal of 12.5% SAF use across all its flights by 2030. The European low-cost airline did not disclose details of the volume of fuel to be acquired or the term of the agreement. The deal builds upon a recent MoU between Ryanair and Shell through which the energy company will supply SAF at more than 200 European airports served by Ryanair between 2025 and 2030. Neste has started…
Wizz Air adds to SAF commitments in purchase deal with Spanish energy group Cepsa
European low-cost carrier Wizz Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Spanish energy company Cepsa for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel from 2025, the Budapest-based airline’s third renewable fuel deal in six months. While the volume to be acquired through the latest agreement was not disclosed, the airline said the agreement would enable it to use blended SAF on flights from 14 destinations in Spain. In February, Wizz Air signed with renewable fuel company Neste for the supply of 108,000 tons of blended SAF for three years, again from 2025, for use on its European and UK…
European low-cost carrier Wizz Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Spanish energy company Cepsa for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel from 2025, the Budapest-based airline’s third renewable fuel deal in six months. While the volume to be acquired through the latest agreement was not disclosed, the airline said the agreement would enable it to use blended SAF on flights from 14 destinations in Spain. In February, Wizz Air signed with renewable fuel company Neste for the supply of 108,000 tons of blended SAF for three years, again from 2025, for use on its European and UK…
Raft of UK initiatives by government and industry unveiled in race to net zero aviation
As the UK pursues its ‘Jet Zero’ target of net zero emissions from its aviation sector by 2050, a raft of new initiatives by government and industry have taken place over the past week. To coincide with the Sustainable Skies event held at Farnborough on April 17, the eighth meeting of the Jet Zero Council, which is made up of government, industry and academic representatives, revealed an action plan for the next two years covering zero emission aircraft development and sustainable aviation fuel production. The event also saw a fly-past by an RAF Airbus A330 partly powered by SAF…
As the UK pursues its ‘Jet Zero’ target of net zero emissions from its aviation sector by 2050, a raft of new initiatives by government and industry have taken place over the past week. To coincide with the Sustainable Skies event held at Farnborough on April 17, the eighth meeting of the Jet Zero Council, which is made up of government, industry and academic representatives, revealed an action plan for the next two years covering zero emission aircraft development and sustainable aviation fuel production. The event also saw a fly-past by an RAF Airbus A330 partly powered by SAF…
EU member states and Parliament reach agreement on SAF mandate and adopt ETS Aviation reform
Political progress has been reached on two key pieces of legislation to bring the European aviation sector into line with the ‘Fit for 55’ goal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. After protracted negotiations, the European Parliament and the Council, representing EU member states, have agreed on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal that will require fuel suppliers to blend sustainable aviation fuels with kerosene in increasing amounts from 2025. A more ambitious target than proposed by the European Commission was reached on the level of supply of…
Political progress has been reached on two key pieces of legislation to bring the European aviation sector into line with the ‘Fit for 55’ goal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. After protracted negotiations, the European Parliament and the Council, representing EU member states, have agreed on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal that will require fuel suppliers to blend sustainable aviation fuels with kerosene in increasing amounts from 2025. A more ambitious target than proposed by the European Commission was reached on the level of supply of…
Norwegian and Norsk e-Fuel partner to build first-ever full-scale e-fuels production plant
Low-cost airline Norwegian has partnered with renewable energy company Norsk e-Fuel to build the world’s first full-scale production plant for zero-emission, electricity-based fuel (e-fuel). Norsk will construct the power-to-liquid (PtL) facility at Mosjøen, in northern Norway, and is targeting production of sustainable aviation fuel as early as 2026. E-fuel is created by combining captured carbon dioxide with green hydrogen using sustainably-generated power. Norwegian is targeting a 45% reduction in its flight emissions by 2030, when it expects to source around 20% of its SAF supplies from Norsk. The collaboration includes a NOK 50 million ($4.7m) purchase by Norwegian of…
Low-cost airline Norwegian has partnered with renewable energy company Norsk e-Fuel to build the world’s first full-scale production plant for zero-emission, electricity-based fuel (e-fuel). Norsk will construct the power-to-liquid (PtL) facility at Mosjøen, in northern Norway, and is targeting production of sustainable aviation fuel as early as 2026. E-fuel is created by combining captured carbon dioxide with green hydrogen using sustainably-generated power. Norwegian is targeting a 45% reduction in its flight emissions by 2030, when it expects to source around 20% of its SAF supplies from Norsk. The collaboration includes a NOK 50 million ($4.7m) purchase by Norwegian of…
Leisure group Jet2 takes equity stake in Fulcrum’s new UK SAF plant and agrees 200m litre offtake
UK leisure travel group Jet2, which comprises Jet2holidays and airline Jet2.com, has announced an equity investment in the sustainable aviation fuel plant to be built in north-west England by US-based waste-to-fuel producer Fulcrum BioEnergy. The NorthPoint facility will be constructed in the Essar Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, and is expected to start production in 2027. Once the plant achieves full capacity, Fulcrum plans to produce about 100 million litres of SAF per year by converting 600,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste, which otherwise would have to be incinerated or used as landfill. While details of the…
UK leisure travel group Jet2, which comprises Jet2holidays and airline Jet2.com, has announced an equity investment in the sustainable aviation fuel plant to be built in north-west England by US-based waste-to-fuel producer Fulcrum BioEnergy. The NorthPoint facility will be constructed in the Essar Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, and is expected to start production in 2027. Once the plant achieves full capacity, Fulcrum plans to produce about 100 million litres of SAF per year by converting 600,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste, which otherwise would have to be incinerated or used as landfill. While details of the…
ZeroAvia receives Q400 regional aircraft from Alaska Airlines for hydrogen-electric retrofit
Hydrogen-electric propulsion developer ZeroAvia has taken delivery of an ex-Alaska Airlines Bombardier Q400 regional airliner for conversion to a zero-emission flight testbed. The 76-seat turboprop aircraft will be retrofitted to test a prototype of ZeroAvia’s new ZA2000 hydrogen-electric powertrain, which is being developed to provide zero emission propulsion for 40-80 seat aircraft from 2027. The Q400, originally known known as the De Havilland Dash 8-400, was donated by Alaska Airlines, a ZeroAvia shareholder and research partner, whose regional subsidiary Horizon Air recently retired its turboprop fleet. It will become ZeroAvia’s fourth testbed aircraft, following two 19-seat Dornier 228s and…
Hydrogen-electric propulsion developer ZeroAvia has taken delivery of an ex-Alaska Airlines Bombardier Q400 regional airliner for conversion to a zero-emission flight testbed. The 76-seat turboprop aircraft will be retrofitted to test a prototype of ZeroAvia’s new ZA2000 hydrogen-electric powertrain, which is being developed to provide zero emission propulsion for 40-80 seat aircraft from 2027. The Q400, originally known known as the De Havilland Dash 8-400, was donated by Alaska Airlines, a ZeroAvia shareholder and research partner, whose regional subsidiary Horizon Air recently retired its turboprop fleet. It will become ZeroAvia’s fourth testbed aircraft, following two 19-seat Dornier 228s and…
King Charles breaks ground on new international innovation hub for net zero aviation
In his first public engagement since his coronation, King Charles III has broken ground on the New Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, a £58 million (m) facility aiming to become a leading global centre for net zero aviation and energy. Its mission is to halve the time to develop key technologies to support a sustainable aviation industry. The King met the Laboratory’s staff and researchers, as well as aviation industry and senior government representatives, who gathered for an international roundtable as part of an initiative led by Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Participating organisations included…
In his first public engagement since his coronation, King Charles III has broken ground on the New Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, a £58 million (m) facility aiming to become a leading global centre for net zero aviation and energy. Its mission is to halve the time to develop key technologies to support a sustainable aviation industry. The King met the Laboratory’s staff and researchers, as well as aviation industry and senior government representatives, who gathered for an international roundtable as part of an initiative led by Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Participating organisations included…
Emirates pledges to commit $200 million over three years to funding sustainable aviation R&D
Dubai-based Emirates, which claims to be the world’s largest international airline, has pledged to invest 0 million over the next three years to help fund research and development into advanced fuel and energy technologies for commercial aviation. The airline says current programmes to decarbonise air transport are insufficient to deliver net zero targets within current timelines and wants to accelerate development of new solutions through this programme, which it claims is the biggest single commitment by any airline towards sustainability. “We looked long and hard at the reality we face in commercial aircraft and engine technology, fuel supply chain…
Dubai-based Emirates, which claims to be the world’s largest international airline, has pledged to invest 0 million over the next three years to help fund research and development into advanced fuel and energy technologies for commercial aviation. The airline says current programmes to decarbonise air transport are insufficient to deliver net zero targets within current timelines and wants to accelerate development of new solutions through this programme, which it claims is the biggest single commitment by any airline towards sustainability. “We looked long and hard at the reality we face in commercial aircraft and engine technology, fuel supply chain…
Britten-Norman and Cranfield announce merger to build a hydrogen-electric commuter plane
UK commuter plane manufacturer Britten-Norman and hydrogen propulsion developer Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) have announced their intention to merge their businesses, initially to create a fully-integrated zero-emission aircraft for entry into service by 2026. Britten-Norman makes the iconic Islander aircraft, a popular nine-seat commuter plane, while CAeS is pioneering hydrogen-electric fuel cell technology. The two have signed a Heads of Terms Agreement to merge by mid-year, in response, they say, to increasing demand from airlines and other operators wanting to switch to zero-emission aircraft that are backed by an OEM. Their announcement coincides with the rapid expansion of hydrogen…
UK commuter plane manufacturer Britten-Norman and hydrogen propulsion developer Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) have announced their intention to merge their businesses, initially to create a fully-integrated zero-emission aircraft for entry into service by 2026. Britten-Norman makes the iconic Islander aircraft, a popular nine-seat commuter plane, while CAeS is pioneering hydrogen-electric fuel cell technology. The two have signed a Heads of Terms Agreement to merge by mid-year, in response, they say, to increasing demand from airlines and other operators wanting to switch to zero-emission aircraft that are backed by an OEM. Their announcement coincides with the rapid expansion of hydrogen…
US, Canada and UK transport ministers chair SAF investment high-level meeting
The UK and US governments are to work together to reduce aviation emissions and share knowledge to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels. Coinciding with the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministers’ Meeting being held in Detroit, UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper will meet his US counterpart, Pete Buttigieg, as well as those from Canada and Singapore “as they work to decarbonise flight and usher in a new era of sustainable travel.” Representing Singapore is Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-Charge of Trade relations, who is expected to explore opportunities for further collaboration with APEC…
The UK and US governments are to work together to reduce aviation emissions and share knowledge to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels. Coinciding with the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministers’ Meeting being held in Detroit, UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper will meet his US counterpart, Pete Buttigieg, as well as those from Canada and Singapore “as they work to decarbonise flight and usher in a new era of sustainable travel.” Representing Singapore is Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-Charge of Trade relations, who is expected to explore opportunities for further collaboration with APEC…
Oleo-X’s new repurposed SAF feedstock pretreatment facility opens in Mississippi
With feedstock availability a concern as sustainable aviation fuel production ramps up, US startup Oleo-X has launched a SAF and renewable diesel (RD) feedstock merchant pretreatment facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, which will have the potential capacity to produce up to 300 million gallons of renewable fuel feedstock per year. The company says its advanced pretreatment technology can produce clean, high-quality feedstocks that will enable partners to produce premium renewable fuels and claims its advanced chemistry can extend SAF and RD unit catalyst lives by years. Oleo-X purchased the former site of Chemour’s First Chemical plant in June 2022 and…
With feedstock availability a concern as sustainable aviation fuel production ramps up, US startup Oleo-X has launched a SAF and renewable diesel (RD) feedstock merchant pretreatment facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, which will have the potential capacity to produce up to 300 million gallons of renewable fuel feedstock per year. The company says its advanced pretreatment technology can produce clean, high-quality feedstocks that will enable partners to produce premium renewable fuels and claims its advanced chemistry can extend SAF and RD unit catalyst lives by years. Oleo-X purchased the former site of Chemour’s First Chemical plant in June 2022 and…
Montana Renewables ships first supplies of SAF for Shell’s airline customers
Following their multi-year agreement, Montana Renewables has begun first shipments of sustainable aviation fuel to Shell Aviation for onward delivery to Shell’s US customers that include JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Montana Renewables claims it will be producing around 30 million gallons of SAF per year and make it the largest SAF producer in North America, with plans to significantly increase that amount over the next two to three years. The company’s location is close to major feedstock sources in the US and Canada, including the temperate oil seed growing zone and large farm and ranch operations…
Following their multi-year agreement, Montana Renewables has begun first shipments of sustainable aviation fuel to Shell Aviation for onward delivery to Shell’s US customers that include JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Montana Renewables claims it will be producing around 30 million gallons of SAF per year and make it the largest SAF producer in North America, with plans to significantly increase that amount over the next two to three years. The company’s location is close to major feedstock sources in the US and Canada, including the temperate oil seed growing zone and large farm and ranch operations…
Neste opens expanded Singapore refinery with 1Mt SAF capacity as government urges global collaboration
Renewable fuels producer Neste has officially opened its expanded refinery in Singapore, increasing annual production capacity to 2.6 million tons, of which up to 1 million will be sustainable aviation fuel. The company has also established an integrated SAF supply chain to enable blended fuel to be delivered to airlines at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. It has also conditionally agreed to acquire a minority shareholding in Changi Airport Fuel Hydrant Installation Company (CAFHI), the airport’s fuel storage and infrastructure joint venture. The Singapore government, which is developing the city state as a sustainable aviation hub, welcomed the Neste development…
Renewable fuels producer Neste has officially opened its expanded refinery in Singapore, increasing annual production capacity to 2.6 million tons, of which up to 1 million will be sustainable aviation fuel. The company has also established an integrated SAF supply chain to enable blended fuel to be delivered to airlines at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. It has also conditionally agreed to acquire a minority shareholding in Changi Airport Fuel Hydrant Installation Company (CAFHI), the airport’s fuel storage and infrastructure joint venture. The Singapore government, which is developing the city state as a sustainable aviation hub, welcomed the Neste development…
Airline sustainability-linked finance to pick up from a low level, expects credit ratings agency
Global credit ratings business DBRS Morningstar says airlines have raised only $5 billion in sustainability-linked finance since 2018 but expects this to pick up as the aviation sector needs to invest around $175 billion annually to achieve net zero by 2050. In addition to the possible increase in funding, benefits of raising sustainable financing include enhancing ESG credibility and the potential to lower the cost of funding, explains DBRS in a client report. It says sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and transition bonds are likely to emerge as the key instruments of choice for the sector. However, airlines’ key performance indicators…
Global credit ratings business DBRS Morningstar says airlines have raised only $5 billion in sustainability-linked finance since 2018 but expects this to pick up as the aviation sector needs to invest around $175 billion annually to achieve net zero by 2050. In addition to the possible increase in funding, benefits of raising sustainable financing include enhancing ESG credibility and the potential to lower the cost of funding, explains DBRS in a client report. It says sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and transition bonds are likely to emerge as the key instruments of choice for the sector. However, airlines’ key performance indicators…
Should aviation be given preferential access to scarce land and clean energy resources for SAF, questions paper
An academic analysis of 12 roadmaps for decarbonising the global aviation industry finds they place a heavy reliance on biogenic fuels in the medium-term and synthetic e-kerosene in the longer term but largely omit a number of fundamental problems with sustainable aviation fuels, says a new science-led paper. Realising these roadmaps could require 9% of global renewable electricity and 30% of sustainably available biomass by 2050, with significant energy losses as SAF production is energy intensive and comes with a risk of clean energy displacement. Additional effects omitted in most roadmaps relate to the decadal time lags in re-sequestering…
An academic analysis of 12 roadmaps for decarbonising the global aviation industry finds they place a heavy reliance on biogenic fuels in the medium-term and synthetic e-kerosene in the longer term but largely omit a number of fundamental problems with sustainable aviation fuels, says a new science-led paper. Realising these roadmaps could require 9% of global renewable electricity and 30% of sustainably available biomass by 2050, with significant energy losses as SAF production is energy intensive and comes with a risk of clean energy displacement. Additional effects omitted in most roadmaps relate to the decadal time lags in re-sequestering…
Ryanair, ITA and Wizz Air engage in initiatives to increase use of SAF ahead of EU blending mandate
A Ryanair deal with global energy group Repsol and the launch by Italian carrier ITA Airways of its ‘Fly with SAF’ programme, together with the signing of an agreement with logistics provider DB Schenker, and a Neste agreement with World Fuel Services are among a number of new European sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. Ryanair and Repsol have signed a MoU to advance the supply of SAF at airports used by Ryanair across Spain and Portugal. The ITA programme offers freight forwarders and shippers the possibility of supporting the purchase of SAF and thus reducing their CO2 emissions while shipping…
A Ryanair deal with global energy group Repsol and the launch by Italian carrier ITA Airways of its ‘Fly with SAF’ programme, together with the signing of an agreement with logistics provider DB Schenker, and a Neste agreement with World Fuel Services are among a number of new European sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. Ryanair and Repsol have signed a MoU to advance the supply of SAF at airports used by Ryanair across Spain and Portugal. The ITA programme offers freight forwarders and shippers the possibility of supporting the purchase of SAF and thus reducing their CO2 emissions while shipping…
New reports highlight the costly challenge of transitioning to hydrogen and electric aviation
Two new reports have highlighted the considerable costs and logistics of transitioning air transport to novel propulsion aircraft, both emphasising the need for urgent action to enable the switch. A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as part of its Target True Zero initiative indicates that by 2050, the aviation industry will need to invest between $700 billion and $1.7 trillion to provide sufficient infrastructure for hydrogen, battery-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. It argues the foundation elements must be in place by 2025 and says new partnerships are essential between the aviation sector and energy suppliers. A parallel report…
Two new reports have highlighted the considerable costs and logistics of transitioning air transport to novel propulsion aircraft, both emphasising the need for urgent action to enable the switch. A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as part of its Target True Zero initiative indicates that by 2050, the aviation industry will need to invest between $700 billion and $1.7 trillion to provide sufficient infrastructure for hydrogen, battery-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. It argues the foundation elements must be in place by 2025 and says new partnerships are essential between the aviation sector and energy suppliers. A parallel report…