Abstract:
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are key for the decarbonisation of the aviation industry to
meet the climate goals under the Paris Agreement. Given its wide feedstock base, South
Africa is well placed to produce significant amounts of SAF, both for domestic use and the
export market. However, the price competitiveness of the SAF and its potential to meet
rigorous sustainability criteria needs to be assessed. The presentation will provide the
main findings from a techno-economic assessment and logistics optimisation study that
identify the SAF production potential in South Africa and associated production costs for
locally produced SAF that would meet strict sustainability criteria. Additionally, we present
an assessment of socio-economic benefits of a domestic SAF industry based on
localisation and employment creation potential, as well as the possibility for fuel import
substitution. The presentation will also include some key recommendations for establishing
a SAF industry in South Africa.
