At Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023, Masdar, ADNOC, bp, Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company), and Etihad Airways signed a deal to perform a cooperative feasibility study on investigating the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other goods in the UAE utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) and renewable hydrogen.
The five partners’ skills will be utilized by the feasibility study to assess the project’s technical and financial viability. If the study’s findings are encouraging, the partners will concentrate on creating the first commercial-scale production facility in the area in Abu Dhabi.
Compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF has the potential to cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% across its entire lifecycle when produced from sustainable feedstocks including municipal solid waste and renewable hydrogen, claims the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This partnership will be a significant step in determining if the UAE has what it takes to become a global leader in the production of SAF. Its goal is to boost the UAE’s position as a global leader in low-carbon energy and technology-driven industrial growth.
According to IATA economic data, aviation is a significant industry in the UAE and contributes over 13% of the country’s GNP. It is expected to grow over the coming decades. Sustainable growth is required to support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. SAF is now the most practical idea to assist in the industry’s decarbonization and has the ability to supply international markets.