On September 11, 2020, the Swedish government announced its intention to introduce a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction mandate for aviation fuel sold in Sweden starting in 2021. The reduction level will be 0.8 percent in 2021 rising to 27 percent in 2030."The ambitious target now set by the Swedish government is an example others should follow in order to support the aviation industry in meeting its emission reduction targets", said Jonathan Wood, VP Renewable Aviation Europe at Neste.
Earlier this year, Norway introduced a 0.5 percent biofuel blending mandate. According to Finland-headed oil refiner and renewable fuel producer Neste Oyj, there will be enough capacity on the market to supply the anticipated volumes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Sweden and Norway.
The global aviation industry has set ambitious targets to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from air transport, including carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and beyond, and a 50 percent reduction of net aviation carbon emissions by 2050.
Aviation needs multiple solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, sustainable aviation fuels offer the only viable alternative to fossil fuels for powering aircraft.
Ramping up capacity to meet SAF demand
Neste is already producing commercial-scale volumes of its MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, refined from renewable waste and residue raw materials. In its neat form and over the lifecycle, the fuel can reduce up to 80 percent of GHG emissions compared to fossil jet fuel, the company says.
We need frontrunners to lead the way in sustainable aviation. The ambitious target now set by the Swedish government is an example others should follow in order to support the aviation industry in meeting its emission reduction targets. It also creates the necessary certainty for sustainable aviation fuel producers to invest in increasing the production, said Jonathan Wood, VP Renewable Aviation Europe at Neste.
Neste’s annual SAF production capacity is currently 100 000 tonnes-per-annum. However, with its Singapore refinery expansion on the way, and with possible additional investment into its Rotterdam refinery in the Netherlands, Neste will have the capacity to produce some 1.5 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2023.
