With the aim of helping to enable the green transition in yet another area, Skellefteå Kraft is now entering into a partnership with global major SkyNRG on a groundbreaking project to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
Since autumn 2022, Skellefteå Kraft has been investigating the possibilities for a new large-scale industrial venture in Skellefteå, which, when fully developed, could become one of Sweden's largest in sustainable aviation fuel. Suitable land for the venture has been identified at Näsudden in Skelleftehamn.
Skellefteå Kraft and the internationally leading aviation fuel player SkyNRG are now taking the next step in their venture and entering into a partnership. Under the project name SkyKraft, the parties have investigated the conditions for establishing a facility for large-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel. The product, so-called eSAF, is an electrofuel for aviation produced from biogenic carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen.
We are pleased to be collaborating with SkyNRG on this groundbreaking project which demonstrates the potential of electrofuels for aviation. This aligns with our vision of promoting renewable energy and contributing to the green transition and a fossil-free society. Northern Sweden has the perfect conditions to lead the energy transition, and we are proud to be a part of it, says Joachim Nordin, CEO of Skellefteå Kraft.
The project will be one of the first of its kind, reinforcing northern Sweden's leading position in the energy transition. The new industry can play a crucial role in the transition of air traffic in Sweden, the EU, and globally.
When fully developed, the industry in Skelleftehamn can produce 100,000 tonnes of aviation fuel per year. This is approximately the amount needed for 60,000 people to fly around the world.
– We are proud to collaborate with Skellefteå Kraft, as our complementary expertise and shared vision for sustainability make Skellefteå a uniquely interesting location for eSAF production. We are committed to realising this project, says Philippe Lacamp, CEO of SkyNRG.
Skellefteå has unique conditions for the production of eSAF:
· Fossil-free and renewable energy: Skellefteå Kraft’s nearly 100% of renewable energy from hydro and wind power enables the continuous and cost-effective production of eSAF.
There is great potential in biogenic carbon dioxide: Sweden has the best conditions in Europe to capture biogenic carbon dioxide, which comes from the forestry and district heating industries, and the Skellefteå region has the industrial capacity to provide it.
Competitive and strategically located: As a result of our strategic investments in the regional network, we have created the conditions for new industrial projects in the region. Strategically located at the Port of Skellefteå, SkyKraft will transform the potential of Skellefteå's access to renewable energy to reduce the aviation industry's carbon dioxide emissions.
The global aviation industry wishes to, and is also mandated to, transform, including through EU regulations on an increasing proportion of sustainable aviation fuel at airports. There is therefore a strongly growing demand for eSAF throughout the EU.
eSAF also enables a smooth transition for the aviation industry, as the renewable fuel can be used as a direct replacement for conventional aviation fuel, and does not require a change to new aircraft.
eSAF from SkyKraft will contribute to the EU's climate goals by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and creating opportunities for the aviation industry to reach net-zero emissions. At the same time, SkyKraft will further strengthen Skellefteå's position as Sweden's hub for the green industry of the future, and around 100 permanent jobs are expected to be created in connection with production.
The project has been granted land allocation at Näsudden in Skelleftehamn. The ambition is for the investigation to lead to a full-scale venture, but a decision has not yet been made and close dialogue is being held with stakeholders. The goal is for construction to commence in 2027.
According to the press release.
