The sky over South Africa may soon show the signs of a more ecologically friendly aviation future. Based on the potential for the country to become a global leader in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the government to seize this “win-win-win” scenario for decarbonized air travel, energy transition, and economic expansion.
An objective that aligns with SAF’s is the global aviation industry’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Not only is SAF necessary to accomplish this goal, but IATA also emphasizes its broader benefits. By creating new jobs in the energy, transportation, and agricultural sectors, a robust domestic SAF industry can strengthen South Africa’s economy and increase its energy independence.
South Africa’s unique strengths make it a prime candidate for SAF leadership. The country boasts vast potential for cultivating feedstock, the raw materials used to produce SAF. Existing refinery infrastructure, readily adaptable for SAF production, provides a significant head start. South Africa’s experience in related fields further enhances its potential.
Adding to this advantage is the country’s strategic geographic location. A well-developed domestic SAF industry could position South Africa as a regional hub for distribution, extending the benefits beyond its borders.
IATA offers the government a four-pronged strategy plan to help it realize its potential. First, rather than developing brand-new facilities, the “brownfield investment” approach concentrates on utilizing the refinery infrastructure already in place. This enables a more rapid scaling up of production.
Second, it’s imperative to pool resources. By pooling resources and knowledge, cooperation between governmental, corporate, and international partners can expedite progress. South Africa’s potential has previously been recognized by think tanks such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which have highlighted the country’s feedstock availability, manufacturing capacity, existing infrastructure, and related experience.
Thirdly, the plan places a strong emphasis on the necessity of providing incentives for R&D. Fostering creativity in SAF production techniques will result in more economical and efficient procedures, increasing SAF’s viability as a long-term solution. The strategic plan should also give infrastructure investment top priority. This can entail renovating or constructing new SAF production facilities.
Airlines effortlessly acquire every drop of SAF that is now produced, demonstrating the unquestionable need. Still, the amount of manufacturing is far short of what is required. There’s a big chance South Africa can close this gap. South Africa has the potential to become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel production and secure a more environmentally friendly future for its aviation industry by putting into practice a strategic plan that capitalizes on its advantages and encourages cooperation.