2023-06-21 14:03:05
Biofuel for aviation represents an 80% reduction in polluting gas emissions into the atmosphere. This type of fuel, called SAF, is an alternative to fossil fuels that has positioned itself as the best instrument to decarbonise the aviation sector. This sustainable fuel is already being used in Spain, so its use on a large scale does not need to modify any mechanism of the planes or the infrastructure of the airports.
A PwC study presented this Wednesday by Iberia and Vueling reflects that if Spain began to produce this fuel in 30 plants that were installed in the territory, it could generate 56,000 million euros of GDP and 270,000 new jobs. “Spain has the opportunity to become a leader in SAF production, just as it is in other renewable energies,” said Teresa Parejo, director of Sustainability at Iberia, during the presentation of the report in Madrid.
Between 30 and 40 production plants spread throughout the country would be enough to decarbonise Spanish aviation, according to his calculations. In this sense, they point to rural Spain as the territory rich in waste from the primary sector -useful for the production of SAF- that would benefit most from this project.
How much SAF is needed? In total, it is estimated that the decarbonization of Spanish aviation will require 5 million tons of SAF per year in 2050. Therefore, with these 30-40 production plants in Spain, it would cover all national demand and even be able to export large amounts of SAF to the international market.
22,000 million investment in rural Spain
The current problem is the low production of SAF, which is currently only 0.05% of the total demand for aviation fuel, according to Franc Sanmartí, Vueling’s director of Sustainability. “We have a great opportunity to lead the production of SAF at the European level, although it requires a collective effort to incentivize it,” he said. The study indicates that it will be necessary to invest some 22,000 million euros until 2050 to develop the 30 or 40 production plants.
The airlines are confident that this new industry would create a large number of new jobs in the rural world because it is the place where there is the greatest source of waste that is raw material for the production of this biofuel. This would contribute to the development of emptied Spain and greater social and territorial cohesion, they argue.
The regions with the greatest capacity to produce organic SAF are Andalucía, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, Aragón and Extremadura.
Thus, from Iberia they assure that they have already maintained contacts with Moncloa and the Ministry of Ecological Transition, as well as with the PP, the main opposition party, to which they have presented studies of this type to ensure that the SAF becomes a element that marks the political agenda. “It is a historic opportunity for our country that we cannot miss,” said Juan Cierco, Corporate Director of Iberia.
In this sense, the airlines consider that this is the true way to decarbonise the sector, in the face of France’s decision to ban short flights that has been raised at some point in our country.
IAG, the group to which Iberia and Vueling belong, has committed to using 10% of SAF on all its flights in 2030. This amount is almost double the amount required by national and international regulations for that year, which will help promote the SAF market in Spain, explain from both companies.
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