Article

The EU has established binding requirements for airlines to use synthetic aviation fuels (e-SAF) derived from green hydrogen, with mandates starting at 1.2% in 2030 and increasing to 35% by 2050 under the RefuelEU Aviation regulation. However, final investment decisions for large-scale projects are lacking.

Cyril Dufau-Sansot, CEO of Hy2gen, warns that without investment decisions in the next two years, there may not be enough e-SAF available to meet 2030 requirements. The main barrier is the uncertainty over who will cover the higher costs of e-SAF, which is estimated to be six to nine times more expensive than conventional fuel.

The EU's Sustainable Transport Investment Plan aims to mobilize billions for e-fuels, including auctions of up to 500 million euros. Hy2gen is developing projects in France and Germany, with production expected to start around 2030, but Dufau-Sansot emphasizes that Europe cannot meet the entire demand alone and will need to import significant amounts.