Kenya needs a minimum of Sh30.45 billion ($235 million) investment to produce biofuel (sustainable aviation fuel) for airlines and replace up to 15 percent of the current jet fuel, according to a study by the World Bank.The study shows that the funds can be used to set up the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) facilities that can produce up to 4,000 barrels per day (BPD) of biofuel by refining vegetable oils and waste oils. The findings come amid a growing push globally to blend jet fuel with biofuels and shift to low-emission aviation fuel, a move that has potential to cut up to 80 percent of the carbon emissions by aircraft. The study focused on how to resolve challenges and leveraging advantages to establish sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) across Africa. It focused on Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa given their dominance in Africa’s aviation sector. Kenya Airways flew a Boeing 787- 800, which was powered by a blend of biofuel and jet fuel in May 2023, marking the maiden flight by the national carrier with reduced emissions. The aircraft flew from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.“A 4,000-BPD HEFA plant producing SAF from UCO and castor oil requires an estimated investment of $235 million. This facility could meet 15 percent of Kenya’s current jet fuel demand and 10 percent of its projected demand in 2030,” the study said. Local consumption of jet fuel stood at 732.34 tonnes last year, meaning that the investment could meet at least 109.86 tonnes of the fuel.“Kenya has the potential to produce HEFA–based SAF using castor oil and UCO. Its existing infrastructure, including its petroleum pipeline network and Nairobi’s role as a regional aviation hub, provides a strong foundation for SAF production,” the study further said. The report noted that government commitment to transition to clean energy, existing high-quality petroleum infrastructure and abundance of vegetable oils like castor seeds have placed Kenya at a vantage position to shift to low-emission aviation fuels. Italian company ENI is currently involved in the local production of castor seeds in Makueni, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties. The seeds are processed at its hubs in Makueni and Kwale before being shipped to Italy for production of biofuel at its refineries in Venice. ENI biofuel is mixed with jet fuel at a 50:50 ratio, making it ready for use in aircraft.The Italian oil firm set a target of producing 200,000 tonnes of biojet (a blend of biofuel and jet fuel) annually two years ago. Airbus and Boeing –the two biggest manufacturers of commercial jets in the world— have already publicly declared their plans to scale up use of biofuel. Airbus conducted the first ever long-range flight of its A380 Jumbo fully running on biofuel in 2022 while Boeing has an ambitious target of manufacturing jets that are fully powered by similar fuels by 2030. The International Civil Aviation Organisation says that a significant portion of SAF production will come from developing countries and emerging markets, where biogenic feedstock is abundant and renewable energy potential is high. (ICE NAIROBI)

Fonte notizia: Business Daily