US company Solena is set to team up with British Airways to establish Europe’s first sustainable jet fuel plant in London’s East End. Bioenergy group Solena’s new fuel plant aims to convert 500,000 tonnes of landfill waste into 16 million gallons of green jet fuel each year. But unlike other forms of green fuel, currently requiring blending with jet kerosene, Solena plans to create a real alternative that will run entirely free from jet fuel.
The deal currently promises to have four sites up and running by 2014 to produce this carbon neutral jet fuel. But aside from a 95% cut in emissions from flights using this fuel, the scheme will also see employment for up to 1,200 people, reduced methane emissions from landfill and a further by-product of 20 MW electricity per year.
British Airways Chief Executive, Willie Walsh, said the partnership will help the airline meet its 2050 goal of 50% net carbon emissions reduction. “We are absolutely determined to reduce our impact on climate change and are proud to lead the way on aviation's environmental initiatives,” he said.
Environmental campaigners have raised concerns in response to the announcement, saying that some biofuel initiatives have ended up with a greater carbon footprint and global impact by replacing food crops with those grown specifically for biofuels. BA have said that their green fuel plant will only be powered by rubbish otherwise headed for landfill.