The UK aviation minister has today announced that 17 “cutting-edge” companies will share £63mn in funding to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.
The boost will “secure Britain’s position as the global leader in the green aviation market”, the Department for Transport (DfT) said, adding that the funding is “critical to provide the clean fuel that’s essential to realise sustainable growth in the aviation sector”.
Today’s investment means the government has provided £198mn to date through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) to scale up cleaner aviation technologies.
Creating a clean aviation ecosystem will help power the next generation of airport infrastructure and capacity scale up, kickstarting economic growth and delivering the UK’s clean energy superpower ambitions, the DfT added.
The department said low carbon fuel production could add up to £5bn to the economy by 2050, position the UK as a global hub for SAF production and enable the UK to go further and faster with expansion plans.
Mike Kane, the UK aviation minister, said: “This £63mn is lift off for Britain’s green aviation revolution.”
He added that the funding will position the UK at the “forefront of the global sustainable aviation market”.
SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average by 70% on a lifecycle basis, from feedstock to biofuel, making it the key technology that will allow UK aviation to grow capacity while achieving net zero commitments.
The SAF Bill will help secure the future of the aviation sector by boosting green fuel production – giving investors the confidence to back sustainable aviation fuel production, the DfT said.
Kane announced the funding at the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre, which received £1.5mn from the £63mn pot.
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, managing director of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “It is fantastic to see the University of Sheffield playing a leading role in the development of sustainable aviation fuel and supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce its emissions.
“At Sheffield, we have some of the most advanced SAF research facilities in Europe and are excited to work with partners from the industry to help them test and develop new fuels and next generation clean energy technologies.”
The AFF winners include a range of companies and are spread across the country, such as OXCCU Tech, which is developing a demonstration plant at Oxford Airport, to LanzaJet, which is building a commercial-scale plant in Teesside.
Andrew Symes, CEO and co-founder of OXCCU, said: “Support from the Advanced Fuels Fund is a key step in scaling our technology.
“This funding enables the detailed design and construction of OX2, our demonstration plant launching in 2026, and builds on the successful delivery of OX1.
“It brings us closer to producing lower-cost, lower-carbon aviation fuel and supports the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in SAF production.”
