TEHA Group and Eni study: renewable-feedstock biofuels can support Europe’s decarbonisation, security and industry
- Private investments in European biofuels could generate up to €66 billion of GDP and support over 33,000 jobs.
- Over 170 million Euro 5/6 diesel vehicles are compatible with HVO in pure form without engine or distribution changes.
- Eni converted refineries at Porto Marghera (2014) and Gela (2019); maritime use of HVO is viable and SAF can be blended up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.
- Europe has lost 21% of refining capacity since 2009, increasing diesel and jet import dependence and costing an estimated 90,000–130,000 skilled jobs.
Study scope
TEHA Group together with Eni presented a strategic study arguing that biofuels produced from renewable feedstocks (notably HVO and SAF) are an available lever to decarbonise transport, diversify supplies and preserve European industrial capacity and skills.
European context and risks
The study frames the recommendation against recent shifts in the global energy landscape and rising dependencies. It cites examples including vehicle imports tripling between 2015 and 2025 to about €166bn, a 21% loss of European refining capacity since 2009 with growing import reliance for diesel and jet fuels and an estimated 90,000–130,000 skilled jobs lost. It also notes rising electricity demand from data centres (96 TWh in 2024 to 236 TWh in 2035) as a constraint on electrification choices.
Key findings
Three central findings: biofuels can immediately reduce transport GHGs and are compatible with much of the existing fleet and infrastructure (over 170m Euro 5/6 diesel vehicles for HVO; HVO usable pure in maritime use; SAF blendable up to 50% for aviation); investments in biorefineries can preserve sites and jobs (Eni conversions at Porto Marghera in 2014 and Gela in 2019) and private investment could yield up to €66bn GDP and 33,000+ jobs; diversified feedstocks (waste, residues, intermediate crops, degraded land) could supply about five times Europe’s needs and projects could involve over one million farmers.
Policy recommendations
The study urges policy shifts: assess emissions across full value chains, support conversion of refineries to biorefineries, and verify sustainability through field measurement, traceability and digital tools while preserving farmers’ flexibility and ensuring additionality.
Source: Eni