DfT backed study could pave way for next gen sustainable aviation fuel facility in Yorkshire

Leeds Bradford Airport is part of a £1.5m government-backed feasibility study looking at the potential of producing next generation power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at scale in Yorkshire.

image: Leeds Bradford Airport

Unlike biofuels, power-to-liquid SAF doesn’t rely on crops or waste. Instead, it uses renewable electricity to convert water and recycled captured carbon into a synthetic jet fuel.

Widely seen as key to decarbonising long-haul flights, the Department for Transport backed study will investigate creating the next generation SAF at or near the airport.

The University of Sheffield initiated project is being delivered through the NEXTGEN-SAF project, led by Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, managing director of the university’s Energy Innovation Centre. The Sheffield team is working in partnership with Leeds Bradford Airport with support from academics at the University of Leeds. Leeds North West MP Katie White has helped bring together industry, academic and regional partners.

If successful, the eight-month study could lead to major investment and job creation in the region, with the final report due in 2026.

Katie White MP said, “Leeds is built for this kind of innovation. We have the talent, the ambition, and a track record of turning green innovation into real-world impact. This funding is a crucial step towards making sustainable jet fuel a reality at Leeds Bradford.”

Professor Piers Forster, former Chair of the Climate Change Committee and Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at the University of Leeds, said, “Aviation is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise… current sustainable aviation fuels are made from waste fat or energy crops. They are not considered a long-term solution, as making our own would use more than 50% of UK farmland, which we need to grow our food. Instead, we will make a technological leap forward – generating fuels directly from renewable electricity, in a so-called "power to liquid approach.”

Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) said, “We’re incredibly proud that LBA will be working in partnership with the team at the University of Sheffield on this groundbreaking project. This initiative will strengthen our shared goal of accelerating the UK’s efforts to meet its net-zero emissions targets by 2050. Investment in decarbonising aviation will benefit not only our local community but also contribute to the broader national effort towards sustainable air travel and a greener future.”

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said, “Developing new SAF technologies in the UK, will not only create hundreds of job opportunities, but is also a key part of the decarbonisation path for aviation. We look forward to working with the University of Sheffield and Leeds Airport on this exciting and innovative project, and I’d like to thank Katie White for the energy and enthusiasm she has brought to this initiative.”

Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian said, “It is fantastic to see the University of Sheffield supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce its emissions. At Sheffield, we have some of the most advanced SAF research facilities in Europe and are excited to work with partners from the industry to help them test and develop new fuels and next-generation clean energy technologies.”