Ireland has potential for huge SAF development, report found

Ireland has the potential to develop a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry generating revenue of €2.55 billion by 2050 and providing up to 1,000 high-skilled jobs.
These are the findings of a feasibility study into the production of SAF in Ireland produced by SkyNRG and SFS Ireland, in a partnership supported by Avolon, Boeing and ORIX Aviation.
The study – Ireland’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Opportunity – was launched by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, and looked at the key role SAF could play in helping the aviation industry achieve its net-zero goal by 2050. 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. This would create an Irish SAF sector generating revenue of €2.55 billion per annum and could provide up to 1,000 high-skilled jobs in direct and indirect employment. Further export opportunities could significantly increase these numbers.
Philippe Lacamp, CEO, SkyNRG, said: “Ireland has an opportunity to combine its renewable resources, skilled workforce, and the right policy environment to create a thriving Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry. SAF is essential for the aviation industry to achieve its net-zero target by 2050 and we need to build up SAF production capacity to cater to the rapidly rising demand.
“While there is still work to be done, we are convinced that Ireland can play a significant role in creating this SAF production capacity. We look forward to working with the Irish Government and other stakeholders to make SAF a reality for the important Irish aviation sector.”