The transition towards a sustainable aviation sector is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. 2% of global CO2 emissions attributable to aviation. Its impact is even greater in Europe, where it represents 3% of the carbon footprint and 14% of transport-related emissions. In this context, the sustainable aviation fuels known as SAF For their acronym in English, they emerge as the only viable alternative to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. This fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by between 80% and 100% during its life cycle compared to fossil fuels.
SAF is a liquid fuel with the same technical and safety specifications as traditional kerosene, but produced from sustainable sources. Depending on its origin, it is classified into bio-SAF (made from organic waste) and e-SAF (made from captured CO2 and green hydrogen). Its advantage is that can be used without modifying aircraft engines. Currently, the regulations allow mixtures of up to 50% and, starting in 2025, it will be mandatory to incorporate 2% SAF in the fuels used in Europe, a figure that will increase to 70% in 2050.
Spain, as one of the main tourist destinations in the world, has a particular responsibility in the decarbonization of aviation. Here, tourism represents 12% of the national GDP and 80% of international visitors arrive to our country by plane. The challenge is huge, but the positive side is that Spain has great potential to lead SAF production, thanks to its abundance of organic raw materials and their ability to generate green hydrogen from renewable energies. In fact, it is estimated that national production could reach 22 million tons of bio-SAF and 2.2 million tons of e-SAF by 2030.
However, the latest report of moeve (formerly Cepsa) affirms that to take advantage of this growth opportunity, Spain must also resolve some pending challenges. According to the analysis, the development of SAF would offer enormous economic benefits. This sector could generate a cumulative impact of 56,000 million euros on the national GDP and the creation of 270,000 new jobs by 2050. In addition, national demand for SAF will reach 5.9 million tons, reducing current CO2 emissions by 60%.
However, the development of this technology faces important challenges, among which are identified the high costs compared to fossil kerosenewhich will mean an accumulated extra cost of 680 million euros until 2030; and the difficulty in accessing the raw materials necessary to create bioSAF due to its geographical dispersion and the lack of a centralized body to facilitate its management. Added to this is the absence of a roadmap specific for the development of the SAF in Spain and the lack of incentives to provide security to agents and encourage its adoption.
«Although the productive capacity announced in Spain will be able to satisfy the country’s SAF demand in 2030, starting this year it will not be enough, so it is It is essential to resolve pending challenges and promote the different SAF technologies, since currently not all have the same degree of maturity,” says the Moeve report.
In contrast, other European countries have made significant progress. The UK has a “Jet Zero” strategy, which includes funding programs such as the Advanced Fuels Fund. France has implemented a tax on fossil emissions with benefits proportional to the amount of SAF incorporated and a €200 million fund for innovative projects. These initiatives demonstrate that success in the transition to SAF depends on a solid regulatory framework and public-private support.
In Spain, the recent update of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) provides for the creation of an aid program for the development of the SAF, although no specific measures have been detailed. The implementation of an annual fund of more than 300 million euros to finance production plants and promote strategic alliances between the government and companies could be key steps to overcome current barriers.
The SAF represents an essential technological solution for the decarbonization of aviation, but also a unique opportunity to drive economic growth and ensure a sustainable future for air transport. With a coordinated effort between administrations, industry and society, Spain can become a global benchmark, leading the transition towards cleaner and more efficient aviation.