- Project Starling in Cumbria is in Front End Engineering Design with over £7 million funding from the Department for Transport.
- The plant aims to deliver 35-40% of the UK's power-to-liquid SAF supply by 2030.
- The partnership plans to secure 50,000-100,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually from 2031.
- SAF Mandate requires 10% SAF in jet fuel by 2030, increasing to 22% by 2040.
Decarbonization Challenge
Aviation faces significant decarbonization challenges due to growing demand and the difficulty of electrifying long-haul routes. The sector must achieve emissions reductions this decade and establish pathways to Net Zero by 2050.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Sustainable aviation fuel is crucial for achieving Net Zero in aviation. The UK SAF Mandate requires 10% of jet fuel to be SAF by 2030, increasing to 22% by 2040. This creates pressure on airlines and fuel suppliers to secure reliable SAF supply.
Project Starling
Project Starling in Cumbria is in the Front End Engineering Design phase, supported by over £7 million in funding from the Department for Transport and private investment. Once operational, it is expected to deliver 35-40% of the UK's mandated power-to-liquid SAF supply by 2030.
Carbon Dioxide Supply
Producing eSAF at scale requires a reliable source of carbon dioxide. The partnership aims to secure 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually from the North of England and southern Scotland, starting from 2031.
Infrastructure Development
The infrastructure for SAF production will also support a new regional carbon economy, treating carbon as a resource. CO₂ capture, conditioning, storage, and transport systems are essential for both SAF and carbon removal.
