Energy company TotalEnergies has announced a set of new targets to expand its production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By 2028, the company aims to reach a capacity of 500,000 tons per year, with a further goal of producing 1.5 million tons per year by 2030. TotalEnergies is responding to increased demand from its aviation customers and is making significant investments to increase its SAF production capacity.
Patrick Pouyanné, the Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, stated that the company is taking action to meet the aviation industry’s strong demand for reducing its carbon footprint. The announcement comes at a time when the demand for SAF is expected to rise rapidly in the coming years.
SAF is crucial for decarbonizing the aviation industry as it significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels. Although there are challenges in terms of limited supply and higher prices, efforts to increase the adoption of SAF by airlines are underway. Many countries, including the UK and the EU, are prioritizing the use of SAF as part of their strategies to address the climate impact of air travel.
TotalEnergies has outlined various SAF projects, such as converting its refineries into zero-oil platforms capable of producing substantial amounts of SAF. These investments include transforming the Grandpuits refinery, increasing SAF production at the Gonfreville refinery, and converting the La Mède refinery into a biorefinery to produce biofuels and SAF.
By achieving its production targets, TotalEnergies aims to meet the blending mandate set by the EU and capture a significant share of the global SAF market.