Consortium call for increased SAF production in Spain

A consortium of Spanish companies and organisations, including Cepsa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, and BIOCIRC, has presented a roadmap to position Spain as the European leader in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

The plan outlines 16 measures to boost the production and consumption of SAF, reducing the environmental impact of the airline sector.

The recommendations, made in a report,titled “How to make Spain the European leader in SAF? Roadmap to accelerate the decarbonisation of air transport,” highlights the potential for SAF production in Spain and the economic benefits it could bring.

The consortium estimates that developing the SAF industry could generate €22bn in investments, create 270,000 jobs, and contribute €13bn to Spanish GDP.

To achieve this goal, the report calls for a strong regulatory framework, increased public-private collaboration, and investments in innovative technologies.

The consortium also emphasises the need for government support to bridge the cost gap between SAF and traditional fossil fuels, as well as the importance of locating SAF production facilities near raw material sources to support rural development.

While the current production capacity of SAF in Spain could meet demand until 2030, the consortium warns that additional investments will be required to ensure energy independence and decarbonisation of the aviation sector beyond 2030.

The report recommends building several new SAF production plants, including HEFA biofuel plants, synthetic fuel plants, and biofuel plants using Alcohol to Jet and Fischer-Tropsch technologies.

By implementing these measures, Spain could become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuels and contribute to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future for the airline industry.