Study finds €2.55bn SAF potential in Ireland

Avolon supported the study to develop SAF in Ireland.

A study carried out by SkyNRG and SFS Ireland in collaboration with Avolon, Boeing and ORIX Aviation found that Ireland has the potential to generate revenue of €2.55bn by 2050 from Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) production.

The biggest opportunity for Ireland lies in power to liquid (PtL) production of eSAF, a synthetic fuel produced by combining green hydrogen with biogenic CO2.

SAF derived from bio-based intermediates like renewable natural gas has the potential to scale up more rapidly to fulfill the advanced biofuels portion of the ReFuelEU mandate, the study added.

However, significant progress is required for Ireland to be able to develop eSAF at scale, particularly to ensure there is enough excess renewable power available to produce hydrogen in the required quantities.

But the increased levels of offshore wind power generation initiatives planned by 2050 will put the country in a stronger position to develop a domestic SAF industry, the study said.

“The government is committed to supporting EU and international action to reduce aviation emissions … This research presented today shows that there are clear future economic benefits from the green economy, which can create new jobs and exciting new business ventures. We look forward to engaging further with industry to explore Ireland’s SAF potential,” said Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The IATA estimates that SAF, which can be used to replace traditional jet fuel, will deliver over 60% of the contribution needed to reduce aviation emissions to reach net zero by 2050.

The European Union’s ReFuelEU initiative obligates fuel suppliers to blend SAF into the fuel available at all EU airports, rising from 6% SAF by 2030, to 70% by 2050.

To meet EU mandated SAF volumes alone, Ireland will require approximately 10 SAF plants of 80 kilo tonnes production capacity each, the study highlighted.