Sustainable Aviation Fuel project could create 850 jobs at Royal Port of Barrow

Up to 850 jobs could be created in an investment by US-based consortium, GRAMM, in the Royal Port of Barrow.

The collaborative industry consortium has applied to the UK Advanced Fuels Fund, for support to accelerate its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project.

The GRAMM SAF project will catalyse decarbonisation of the UK aviation industry, while delivering significant economic benefits locally and nationally.

GRAMM’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel cuts carbon emissions fourfold beyond the UK SAF Mandate requirements. That enables the project to deliver 53.5% of the UK’s 2035 SAF target. Apart from its positive environmental impact, GRAMM says it will create 850 jobs in the North West, bringing economic revitalisation to communities that need it most.

Alexander Peschkoff, GRAMM consortium lead, said: “Advanced Fuels Fund support will propel UK sustainable aviation forward.

“Meeting a significant part of the UK aviation sector’s net zero obligations will establish GRAMM as a leading sustainable aviation fuel producer. This project also proves that decarbonisation can tackle climate challenges while driving regional economic growth.”

GRAMM’s vision has attracted strong industry backing, particularly from BioTfueL, a proven end-to-end technology platform developed by global energy leader TotalEnergies, technology licensor Axens, and industrial solutions provider, thyssenkrupp Uhde.

The proposed location for the project is the Royal Port of Barrow, for which Associated British Ports (ABP) announced an ambitious development masterplan to create an advanced engineering cluster.

The port is also home to another GRAMM project partner, Centrica-owned Spirit Energy, which is planning to repurpose the depleted Morecambe Bay Gas Fields in Barrow into the MNZ carbon store.

Regional support for the GRAMM SAF project has been equally robust, with assistance from the North West Net Zero Hub, a regional programme dedicated to promoting investment in energy projects,Net Zero North West (NZNW), an industry-led collaboration driving industrial decarbonisation across the North West, and Enterprising Cumbria, the newly-established body working to boost economic development throughout Cumbria county.

James Johnsonb, head of regional programme, North West Net Zero Hub, said: “GRAMM has assembled a very strong consortium to progress their proposals for a first-of-a-kind large-scale SAF production facility.

“Support from the Aviation Fuel Fund, if approved, would help the project progress. The North West Net Zero Hub has been pleased to support GRAMM.

“We recognise the importance of the national policy framework for sustainable aviation fuel, and if successful, the GRAMM project could be a transformative opportunity for the North West, creating substantial job and supply chain opportunities throughout its delivery phases.”

Jane Gaston, CEO NZNW, said: “As the home to two of the UK’s airports, Net Zero North West recognised in our manifesto the importance of providing a resilient supply of significant volumes of sustainable fuel to support the aviation industry.

“Our own work in developing the North West Industrial Cluster Plan shows that the North West is uniquely placed to deliver transformational projects such as this. It’s, therefore, no surprise that GRAMM have chosen to target delivery of this project in our region.”

She added: “With a combination of expertise driven by our industry and the people who work there, our natural geological assets both on and off shore, and our transportation links, including our ports, this project could further enhance the £30bn pipeline of projects already identified across carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, renewables, nuclear and battery which will not only deliver significant carbon reductions, but, critically, support industry in the North West to continue to make a positive contribution to the UK’s economic growth whilst operating in a more sustainable way.”

The funding from the UK Advanced Fuels Fund, if the application is successful, will enable the GRAMM consortium to move from planning to implementation, making this project a reality.

The GRAMM SAF project will position the UK as a world leader in SAF production, accelerating the nation’s journey to net zero emissions by 2050.