European Aviation and Hydrogen Firms Propose Innovative Auction Mechanism for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Key Ideas
  • European aviation and hydrogen sectors collaborate to propose a double-sided auction mechanism to boost renewable hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) supply.
  • Over 70 organizations, including Airbus, Boeing, Air France-KLM, and industry groups like Hydrogen Europe, sign a letter to the European Commission outlining critical policy interventions.
  • The proposed auction mechanism, supported by a short-term funding pot of €3bn, aims to bridge the gap between production costs and buying prices using revenues from the EU's Emissions Trading System.
  • Project SkyPower group advocates for priority access for pioneering e-SAF projects, clarity on e-SAF mandates, and making e-SAF a strategic priority in the EU's Clean Industrial Deal.
A consortium of firms from Europe's aviation and hydrogen sectors, known as Project SkyPower, has put forth a groundbreaking proposal to introduce a unique auction mechanism aimed at unlocking significant renewable hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) supply. This initiative, outlined in a letter addressed to European Commission officials, involves five key policy interventions to enhance e-SAF production and consumption. The proposal, supported by more than 70 prominent organizations, suggests implementing an auction mechanism similar to the German H2Global system, facilitated by an intermediary body, to drive e-SAF production. The funding for this mechanism, totaling €3bn, would be sourced from the EU's Emissions Trading System. The Project SkyPower group envisions this funding to support the establishment of 100,000-300,000 t/yr of e-SAF production capacity, contributing significantly towards the EU's target of making e-SAF constitute 1.2% of all jet fuel consumed by 2030-31. To ensure successful implementation, the group calls for priority access for pioneering e-SAF projects and seeks clarification on e-SAF mandates. Additionally, Project SkyPower stresses the importance of elevating e-SAF to a strategic priority within the EU's Clean Industrial Deal. Despite the ambitious plans, challenges remain as large-scale e-SAF projects are in their early stages, with no plant reaching a final investment decision yet. The proposed auction mechanism aims to address these challenges and drive the development of sustainable aviation fuel within the EU. Argus, a reputable source, is monitoring 38 e-SAF projects in the EU, highlighting the potential for over 2mn t/yr of e-SAF production if these projects come to fruition.
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