Humber takes flight as prime location for sustainable aviation fuel cluster
REGION ALREADY HAS FIRST PLANS PASSED FOR GREEN JET FUEL REFINERY
THE Humber has been revealed as one of Britain’s prime locations for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel cluster. The region where the first commercial scale green jet fuel refinery has planning consent is one of seven identified by energy consultancy E4Tech.
Conducted on behalf of Sustainable Aviation, an industry coalition featuring South Bank-focused developer Velocys, it sets out how a £219 million boost to the economy could be added annually, with 1,500 jobs, making it the beating heart of production.
It comes as the body seeks early facility backing from the government to the tune of £500 million.
And it joins the huge push for hydrogen development and carbon capture and storage, which it could feed into, as well as the embracing of the acceleration of wind. Adam Morton, chair of Sustainable Aviation, said: “Sustainable aviation fuels will be essential for the global aviation industry in a net zero world, and the UK has a golden opportunity to become a world-leader by commercialising this technology at an early stage.
“There are enormous benefits in terms of jobs and growth across these clusters. By backing SAF in this way, Government can kickstart a green recovery, create high quality and futureproof jobs for thousands of people. All of this can be delivered at the same time as slashing carbon emissions.” The Humber, with strong refining capability, skills and a direct pipeline to Heathrow Airport, could welcome a number of facilities. Altalto Immingham, the site being brought forward by Velocys with backing from British Airways and Shell, is seen as scalable, with £350 million to £500 million of investment eyed for the site, to the east of the port at Stallingborough.
The support package, equal to the top end plan for the area, would be made up of
£429 million in Governmentbacked loan guarantees for the initial first-of-itskind SAF production facilities, £50 million in grants and development support for new SAF technologies, and £21 million to establish a UK clearing house to enable
SAF testing and approval.
In addition to the Humber, six other potential SAF clusters have been identified including Teesside, the North West, South Wales, Hampshire, St Fergus and Grangemouth. Commenting on the publication of E4Tech’s analysis, Henrik Wareborn, pictured, Velocys chief executive, said: “The new research published today by Sustainable Aviation confirms the incredible potential for the UK to develop a world leading sustainable aviation fuels industry, of which Velocys is poised to be at the forefront.
“As developers of the UK’s first commercial waste-tojet-fuel plant, Velocys’ planned Altalto facility is the most advanced here-and-now example of green aviation technology in the UK. “Sustainable Aviation’s research identifies Humberside, the location of Altalto, as a key cluster for the development of this new domestic industry – and as such the region has a fantastic opportunity to establish itself as the global hub for fuelling future air travel.
“Today’s research shows that it is possible to deliver on the Government’s Jet Zero ambition and transform aviation using readily available feedstocks, innovative technology and existing aircraft.
“With Altalto, the Humber could fuel this transformation, cutting carbon and creating jobs in the process.”
With Altalto, the Humber could fuel this transformation, cutting carbon and creating jobs in the process
Henrik Wareborn