NorSAF and KBR to Build 100% Drop-in SAF Facility in Latvia

gasworld.com

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

NorSAF and KBR are partnering to develop Europe's first commercial-scale facility for 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Port of Liepaja in Latvia. The plant aims to produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF and eSAF annually by 2031, using advanced bioethanol, green hydrogen, and captured biogenic CO2. Unlike standard SAF that requires blending with fossil kerosene, this technology creates a fuel that chemically mimics jet fuel, allowing it to be used in existing aircraft without modifications. The project aligns with the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation mandates, targeting a significant reduction in aviation greenhouse gas emissions.

2 comments

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

A 2031 start date is a long way off. I wonder what the actual power requirements are for the electrolysis part of this plant. If they want 100k tonnes of fuel, the grid connection at the Port of Liepaja needs to be substantial. Do we know the planned MW capacity for the hydrogen production?

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The timeline makes sense if they are banking on the 2026 ASTM certification for 100% drop-in. Without that regulatory green light, the 100% claim is just a goal. The real driver here is the ReFuelEU mandate, which forces the demand side to move.

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

NorSAF is looking for equity investors, which means the funding isn't fully locked in yet. It is a cool project, but the gap between a license agreement and a working plant in Latvia is huge.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The tech sounds great, but the capex for these plants is usually massive. I want to see the breakdown of the feedstock costs for that bioethanol. If they have to import it, the carbon savings and the margins both take a hit.