A Teesworks refinery in the United Kingdom has been given the green light to refine Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
With increasing numbers of airlines seeking to operate flights with cleaner fuels, demand for SAF is growing.
However, many airlines are battling to gain access to this greener resource. This is due to cost and the fact that demand is outstripping supply.
Having an additional refinery in the UK will hopefully translate to more SAF being available and ultimately becoming more affordable.
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SAF PRODUCER IN UK
Energylivenews reports that Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC), has received approval from the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for its Carbonshift PtL SAF refinery project.
“We’re thrilled to have the Reserved Matters Planning Application approved, marking a pivotal step in our project and our commitment to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the UK and global aviation sector.”
Austin Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC
The location of this refinery is Teesworks, in England.
APPROVAL AND FUNDING
The plan recently received a £4.721 million grant from the UK’s Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund competition.
The project is estimated to produce fourteen kilotonnes of power-to-liquid (PtL) SAF annually.
UK’S SAF TARGETS
The UK Government wants to speed up deliverables for SAF production in the country.
It has set a target of having a minimum of five commercial-scale SAF plants under construction by 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Airlines are obligated to improve their sustainability efforts through regulations imposed by governments and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Operators in the commercial aviation space are thus moving to reduce their environmental impacts.
One of the ways to do this is by using cleaner fuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).