The UK is picking up the pace in producing cleaner aviation fuels amid growing demand for SAF from airlines. Another UK SAF project has been approved.
Last month a Teesworks refinery was approved to refine Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the United Kingdom.
The UK government has set a target of a minimum of five commercial-scale SAF plants under construction by 2025.
This will assist in increasing the UK’s SAF production figures in years to come.
UK SAF PROJECT
Ethanolproducer states that LanzaTech has received planning permission for its UK SAF project.
The plant will utilize LanzaJet’s alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology to convert sustainably sourced ethanol into SAF.
Construction on this new facility is scheduled to begin in winter 2024, with operations expected to commence in 2026.
PORT TALBOT PROJECT
LanzaTech UK Ltd, a subsidiary of LanzaTech Global Inc, is moving forward following an approval issued by the Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee on 16 March.
“We are delighted that Neath Port Talbot Council has approved our planning application.”
Jim Woodger, Managing Director of LanzaTech UK Ltd
This milestone marks an important step for Project Dragon and demonstrates the potential for Port Talbot to transition to clean green industries that build on its heritage whilst providing jobs and wider benefits for the local community.
PROJECT DRAGON
That said, plans for the facility, referred to as Project Dragon, received a unanimous vote for approval by the committee. The approval follows a public consultation process that was launched in August 2023.
Project Dragon is proposed for development at Crown Wharf in Port Talbot, which is located approximately 180 miles west of London.
The proposed facility will have the capacity to produce approximately 100 MMly (26.42 MMgy) of SAF.
LanzaTech estimates the project will create more than 150 full-time jobs, including 85 skilled jobs on-site.
SAF FACILITY
The approved planning application for Project Dragon includes the demolition of existing structures at the project site and the erection of the SAF production facility.
This includes the production of green hydrogen and sustainable diesel, enclosed ground flare, storage tanks, installation of pipework and electrical processing and utility equipment, administration, warehouse and laboratory buildings, new access, car parking, and transport infrastructure including a truck loading area and associated works, hard and soft landscaping, areas for temporary construction laydown and associated development.
UK SAF PROJECT PRODUCTION
The Port Talbot plant will utilize LanzaJet’s alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology to convert sustainably sourced ethanol into SAF.
A commercial-scale facility utilizing LanzaJet’s ATJ technology is already operational in the United States.
In January 2024 LanzaJet celebrated the grand opening of its 10 MMgy Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia.
The plant can produce 9 MMgy of SAF and 1 MMgy of renewable diesel.
