2023-12-11 09:30:00
On the horizon of sustainable aviation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) emerges as the catalyst to decarbonize the airline industry, offering a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, between 60% and 100%. This innovative fuel, derived from both organic and synthetic sources, is already in use, standing out for its ability to revolutionize the sector without requiring modifications to aircraft or airport infrastructure.
Although current aircraft can run on up to 50% sustainable fuels, current production fails to meet growing global demand. IAG, as a leader committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, has set ambitious targets, planning to operate 10% of its flights with SAF from 2030.
In this scenario, Spain is positioned as a key player in the transformation towards more sustainable aviation. With considerable wealth in agricultural and forestry waste, the country has the potential to lead the production of SAF. Furthermore, the drive towards green hydrogen production in Spain will contribute significantly to the generation of synthetic SAF.
The Green Opportunity: Spain, SAF Producing Power
With a projected demand of five million tons of SAF per year for Spanish aviation in 2050, the country could position itself as a leader by establishing between 30 and 40 production plants. This step would not only generate quality jobs, but would also inject significant wealth into the economy, while positioning Spain as an international SAF exporter.
The vision of Iberia and IAG, supported by strategic agreements with Repsol and Cepsa, demonstrates a clear commitment to SAF production. However, to accelerate the transition and compete globally, government incentives are needed. Public-private collaboration emerges as essential for the success of this transition towards a more sustainable aviation.
Iberia’s Director of Sustainability, Teresa Parejo, highlights: “Spain has the opportunity to promote a new industry for this type of fuel and take advantage of the fact that we are leaders in renewable energy to decarbonize air transport immediately and with a future projection. In addition, This new industry would create a new business model with thousands of quality jobs and with the aim of developing in areas of rural Spain, which would generate social and territorial cohesion. We could export SAF and, at the same time, have independence and security energy”.
In this context, a crucial question arises: Is Spain ready to lead the sustainable aviation revolution and become a beacon of innovation on the global scene? The answer can be defined with the determined collaboration of all the actors involved, combining public and private efforts to propel the sustainable and economic growth of the country in the skies of the future.
#Rural #Spain #create #fuel #airplanes #great #opportunity