04-12-2024

Solarig portfolio of projects exceeds 400,000 tons of annual SAF production

Solarig is progressing the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects with a portfolio that exceeds 400,000 tons of annual SAF production in Spain. Specifically, Solarig announced today the development of a sustainable aviation fuel production plant in Teruel. The project, named ‘Turboleta SAF,’ will have a production capacity of more than 75,000 tons of SAF annually—equivalent to 33,000 flights between Zaragoza and London (based on a 50% SAF blend). Located in the Platea industrial park in Teruel and spanning approximately 10 hectares, the plant is expected to be operational before 2030.

In light of COP29 and the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, Solarig underscores the importance of SAF as a critical tool for the decarbonization of the aviation sector, which accounts for nearly 14% of global CO2 emissions attributable to transportation. This project will enable the decarbonization of 340,000 tons of CO2 annually and the capture and utilization of 160,000 tons of CO2 each year.

With a total estimated investment of €1.15 billion, ‘Turboleta SAF’ will include dedicated renewable assets directly connected to the industrial plant, such as a solar photovoltaic plant, a wind farm, and a battery energy storage system. The plant will create nearly 1,200 skilled direct and indirect jobs—1,000 during the construction phase and over 180 during operation—boosting local development and leveraging existing infrastructure.

Miguel Ángel Calleja, Chairman and CEO of Solarig, stated: “This new facility places Teruel at the forefront of sustainable fuel production. It leverages the region’s natural resources, such as sun, wind, and water, as well as biogas and biogenic CO2 from our facilities, derived from agro-livestock waste in the area. This project, supported by national, regional, and local public entities and leading companies in the aviation sector, is part of our Spanish portfolio, which exceeds 400,000 tons of SAF annually.”

Nearby infrastructures, such as the airports of Teruel and Zaragoza, will benefit from this new facility by having access to locally produced sustainable fuel. This plant will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the air transport sector, driving economic growth, enhancing Teruel’s industrial ecosystem, and improving quality of life while creating high-quality jobs in the Aragón region.

As part of the project’s financial consolidation, Solarig has submitted ‘Turboleta SAF’ to the “Incentive Program for Renewable Hydrogen Production and Consumption Projects (Clusters or Valleys)” initiative launched by the Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving (IDAE), funded through Next Generation EU resources. Through this initiative, the company aims to contribute to Europe’s climate goals and promote the large-scale production and consumption of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.

‘Turboleta SAF’ joins Solarig’s ‘Numantia SAF’ project in Soria, along with other projects across Spain that collectively will produce more than 400,000 tons of SAF annually. This growth solidifies Solarig’s position as a leader in sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure development, bringing its expertise and a circular approach through its Energy and Green Gas divisions.