The Aviation Minister announced that 17 cutting-edge UK companies will share £63 million to accelerate production of sustainable aviation fuels.
The boost to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will help support approximately 1,400 jobs and help secure the UK’s position as a global leader in the green aviation market. Both are important factors for the sustainable growth of aviation.
Investments today mean that the government has so far provided £88 million through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) to expand cleaner aviation technologies.
Creating a clean aviation ecosystem will help promote the expansion of next-generation airport infrastructure and capabilities, launch economic growth and realize the UK’s ambitions to become a clean energy superpower.
How SAF benefits the UK economy
Sustainable aviation fuel production could add up £5 billion to the economy by 2050, with the UK positioning it as a global hub for low-carbon fuel production, allowing the UK to move its expansion plans faster.
“We are not only advocating for great British innovations, but we also create thousands of skilled jobs and position the UK at the forefront of the global sustainable aviation market,” explained Aviation Minister Mike Kane.
“From Sheffield labs to the runways of the future, this is how we can start economic growth, ensure energy independence and make the UK a clean energy superpower.”
Provide cleaner flights and achieve net zero
SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuels, making it a critical technology that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 70% on a lifecycle basis, from life support to biofuels, and allow UK aviation to increase capacity while achieving zero-zero commitments.
The SAF bill will help secure the future of the aviation sector by boosting green fuel production in the UK and providing cleaner flights.
The bill gives investors confidence in favour of sustainable aviation fuel production. It will help the sector grow, provide green jobs and enable carbon savings.
Key players leading the development of sustainable aviation fuels
Announcing new funding at the University of Sheffield Energy Innovation Centre, which just received £1.5 million in this latest round, the Minister of Aviation saw firsthand the groundbreaking work of the aircraft’s engine testbed and innovative aviation fuels.
Professor Mohamed Paul Kashanian, managing director of the University of Sheffield Energy Innovation Centre, which leads the project, said:
“Sheffield has some of Europe’s most advanced SAF research facilities and is excited to work with industry partners to help develop new fuels and next-generation clean energy technologies.”
AFF winners include a range of companies across the country, including Oxccu Tech, which develops a demonstration factory at Oxford Airport, and Lanzajet, which is building a commercial-scale factory in Ticecid.
Andrew Symes, CEO and co-founder of OXCCU, commented:
“This supports the UK’s ambition to bring it closer to producing low-cost, low-carbon aviation fuels and become a global leader in SAF production.”
Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of Lanzajet, added: “This support shows that Lanzajet’s trust in technology and its key role from ethanol to SAF is providing economic growth, creating jobs and deleting air travel.
“Project SpeedBird is essential to building the UK national SAF industry and unlocking opportunities and innovation in the region.”
Source link
