India unveils SAF feasibility report, highlights domestic feedstock surplus
With passenger traffic expected to double to 500m by 2030, Indian government has successfully completed a feasibility study on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the flights to decarbonise aviation.
The findings were share in the recently released Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feasibility Study for India in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with support from the European Union.
“SAF is a practical and immediate solution to decarbonise the aviation sector, with the potential to cut lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel,” said India’s Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
He highlighted that with over 750m metric tonnes of available biomass and nearly 230m metric tonnes of surplus agricultural residue, India has the capacity not only to meet its own SAF demand but also to emerge as a global leader and exporter.
The feasibility study was part of the ICAO ACT-SAF Programme. The study assessed potential for producing and utilising drop-in SAF in India. It evaluated domestic feedstock availability, viable production pathways, infrastructure and policy readiness and the enabling conditions needed to establish a robust domestic SAF market.
The study is being deliberated at a two-day workshop at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi, with participation from ICAO, EASA, DGCA, industry partners, and multiple government departments, reflecting a whole-of-government approach towards SAF.
Union minister Naidu also reaffirmed India’s readiness to become self-sufficient in SAF production, targeting 1% blending by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 in line with the CORSIA mandate.
The minister also highlighted the milestones already achieved by the country towards SAF adoption including the designation of COTECNA Inspection India as the country’s first SAF certification body and the certification of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as India’s first SAF producer.