ABOVE: The SAF industry is expected to boost the UK economy by £1.8 billion

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has unveiled its upcoming sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate, with 10% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK to come from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the SAF mandate will come into force from January 2025, with the government committing to what the DfT describes as ‘ambitious but achievable targets’ to see around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF supplied to the UK airline each industry each year. “The measures announced today will give both UK aviation and the UK SAF industry the certainty they need to keep creating skilled British jobs while giving passengers the freedom to continue travelling by air in a way that’s fit for the future,” highlighted Transport Secretary Mark Harper, who added that “sustainable aviation fuel protects the future of UK aviation”.

Producing up to 70% less carbon emissions than traditional fossil fuels, SAF can be made from waste materials or by-products such as used cooking oil or household waste, before being blended as a ‘drop-in’ fuel with conventional kerosene-based products. However, with SAF currently more expensive that existing alternatives, the government has also launched a consultation into a SAF revenue certainty scheme; including a pre-agreed price of SAF supplied to the UK market.

“A domestic SAF industry will create jobs, wealth and help the UK secure its energy independence,” explained Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators association. “However, it is vital that government now puts the right measures in place to incentivise production and reduce the cost of SAF as seen in the EU and US.”

Although there are currently no commercial plants producing SAF in the UK, five initiatives – each awarded a share of the government’s £165 million Advanced Fuels Fund in 2022– are scheduled to be under construction by 2025, with a further nine ‘pioneering projects’ receiving a share of £53 million in the latest funding round.

In February 2023, Singapore also announced plans to blend 1% SAF on all flights departing the country from 2026, rising to 3%-5% by 2030.

IMAGE: DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT