£15 million Green Fuels, Green Skies competition to turn materials such as everyday waste into sustainable aviation fuel.
Net zero-emission aviation is one step closer today (16 March 2021) following the launch of a new competition to support the development of cutting-edge facilities capable of turning everyday waste into jet fuel.
The Green Fuel, Green Skies competition, which is part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, will set out to support UK companies as they pioneer new technologies to convert household waste, waste wood and excess electricity into sustainable aviation fuel.
Offering emissions savings of more than 70% compared to conventional jet fuel, these trailblazing projects will help put flying onto a more sustainable path while helping to create up to 11,500 jobs over the coming decades.
As the aviation sector emerges out of the pandemic and looks towards recovery over the coming months, we must put our environmental commitments at the centre of everything we do – so not only do we build back better, we also build back greener.
Companies will be able to bid for a share of £15 million to kickstart the development of first-of-a-kind production plants in the UK to produce these fuels at scale.
This comes as the government’s second Jet Zero Council meeting is attended by new CEO Emma Gilthorpe, chief operating officer at Heathrow Airport. Promoting the vision of the group, Emma will increase its reach with key stakeholders across the sector helping drive forward decarbonisation of aviation.
Joining the distinguished roster of industry and environmental experts, new additions from the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the council, energising the charge to reduce emissions and deliver clean growth in the sector.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “As the aviation sector emerges out of the pandemic and looks towards recovery over the coming months, we must put our environmental commitments at the centre of everything we do – so not only do we build back better, we also build back greener.
“That’s why we’re stepping up our work on the Council, recruiting new members and launching pioneering efforts to ensure that we continue to lead the world by example and deliver on our ambitious net-zero targets.”
Build back greener
Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Today’s meeting of the Jet Zero Council demonstrates the vital collaboration between government and industry that will make zero-emission flights a reality.
“Britain’s aerospace sector is at the centre of our plans to build back greener from the pandemic. We are committed to supporting its recovery and investing in green tech to take us closer to zero carbon take-off.”
Through the Future Flight Challenge, the government has committed £125 million of funding over 4 years. This has been matched by £175 million from industry to develop greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, by advancing electric and autonomous flight technologies.
Just this week, Project 2ZERO announced plans to use its share of £2.4 million through this fund to demonstrate flights of 6- and 19-seat hybrid-electric planes.
The launch of the ‘Green Fuels, Green Skies’ competition is another positive signal that the Government wants to invest in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in the UK
The project will demonstrate the use of electric and hybrid aircraft on regional routes, showing the potential to decarbonise aviation while supporting regional connectivity.
The government has put in place one of the most comprehensive packages of business support in the world, pledging around £7 billion since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Responding to the formal launch today by the Government of a new competition backed by £15m of funding to support the development of sustainable aviation fuels, Andrew Morris, CFO of Velocys, said: “The launch of the ‘Green Fuels, Green Skies’ competition is another positive signal that the Government wants to invest in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in the UK. As Velocys continues to develop plans for the UK’s most advanced SAF facility, we welcome this move to accelerate projects like ours and to build the British SAF industry as part of a green recovery.
“Building such an industry also requires policy changes, notably the introduction of a robust revenue support mechanism for SAF production facilities. In the year we host COP26, such action and support will show the UK as a world leader and demonstrate how serious we are about Jet Zero.”
