European energy logistics company, Exolum, is to invest £4.5 million to develop the UK’s first independent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending facility as part of plans for a UK-wide network of SAF blending hubs.
The announcement comes as the UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, which creates new subsidies for SAF production, progresses to its next stage in Parliament.
By blending customers’ SAF into Exolum’s national aviation fuel pipeline network, the investment will boost sustainable aviation fuel supplies to airports across southern England and Wales, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff.
The facility, at Redcliffe Bay in south-west England, will be the first of a new UK-wide network of SAF blending hubs it plans as part of its 2,000km pipeline network.
A SAF ‘superhighway’ will provide producers and importers with market access to the jet fuel for 40% of flights leaving the UK’s airports.
Expected to be operational from 2026, the initial investment at Redcliffe Bay will support the greening of the equivalent of up to 64,741 flights from London to New York a year.
Exolum North West Europe Lead, Stephen Land, said: “Exolum’s investment at Redcliffe Bay is turning the UK’s ambitions for greener flights into reality, whilst helping secure the country’s world-leading position at the forefront of global sustainable aviation.
“The UK’s twin commitments to airport expansion and to increasing SAF supplies have been crucial in ensuring that, and we’re looking forward to not only supporting greener aviation but also the growth of the UK’s sustainable fuels industry.”
Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, added: “It’s fantastic to see this investment in our region, with blending facilities being a vital part of the future SAF supply chain that we need to decarbonise aviation. We’ve committed to working with our airline customers to meet the UK’s SAF mandate as part of our aim to be a net zero airport by 2050.”
