The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has called on South Africa to mobilise its experience, resources, and infrastructure to accelerate the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.
Speaking at Iata’s Wings of Change Focus Africa conference in Johannesburg, senior vice president for sustainability and chief economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, said South Africa had vast potential to become a leading SAF producer in the region.
“And there is a waiting market for SAF as airlines work to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. More than a strategy in support of aviation’s decarbonisation, it is a strategy for economic development and should be a top priority for the new South African government,” she said.
“Across agriculture, energy, and transportation, new jobs and industries are waiting to be created that would not only help fight poverty but also contribute to greater energy independence.”
South Africa chaired the 2022 Icao Assembly where governments agreed to a long-term goal aligned with the aviation industry’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 commitment. The role of SAF in achieving this goal was emphasised by the Icao CAAF/3 (Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels) objective of a 5% average global reduction in aviation’s carbon emissions by 2030.
As decarbonising aviation will require global collaboration, global or regional stakeholders like States, development banks, industry, academia and other relevant parties must bring forces together to help countries with SAF potential to develop their industry.
“Airlines are ready and waiting to purchase SAF as evidenced by the fact that every drop of SAF produced has been purchased and used. But the production volumes are a minute fraction of what aviation needs. That’s why it is essential for governments of countries with production potential, such as South Africa, to embrace what is a unique win-win-win opportunity for economic development, energy transition, and decarbonised air transportation,” said Thomsen.
Iata highlighted several advantages for South Africa in developing SAF production, which have also been noted by a study undertaken by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF):
- Feedstock potential: South Africa has an abundance of feedstocks from which SAF can be derived including sugarcane low-carbon by-products, and biomass from cleared invasive alien plants (IAPs). With respect to IAPs, harvesting them will come with other environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and water security. In all cases, no feedstocks would compete with food production for land or water use in line with the Icao sustainability framework.
- Significant production capacity: The WWF estimates that South Africa has the potential to produce between 3.2 and 4.5 billion litres of SAF annually. This will more than meet domestic fuel demand (1.8 billion litres) and present an export opportunity, where policies will be central for realisation. Achieving production at the higher range of potential would require the co-development of a green hydrogen capability.
- Existing refinery infrastructure: South Africa has existing refinery infrastructure which should be explored for brownfield investments - plant conversions or co-processing.
- Experience: South Africa has long experience in synthetic fuel production, particularly the Fischer-Tropsch method. Moreover, the country’s robust academic and research institutions also have a history of supporting innovations and technology for fuel production. It’s time we see policies to enable their role in SAF deployment.
- Strategic geographic location: South Africa’s airports, particularly OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport, serve as important hubs for connecting flights within Africa and other parts of the world.
