Firefly, a British biofuel company, has partnered with low-cost airline Wizz Air to construct a commercial refinery that will convert sewage into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The fuel is currently undergoing regulatory testing and, if approved, could be used to power aircraft. The refinery, the first of its kind, will be located in Essex and is expected to begin supplying SAF to London’s airports by 2028.
Firefly has also expressed the possibility of building two more similar facilities in the UK. Wizz Air has committed to investing in Firefly’s waste-based fuel by placing a substantial order for up to 525,000 tons over the next 15 years.
Additionally, utility company Anglian Water will supply Firefly with biosolids from its wastewater treatment process for a pilot facility. Firefly CEO James Hygate described biosolids as a valuable resource, despite their unpleasant nature, and expressed excitement about the prospect of turning sewage into jet fuel.
The production of SAF emits 70% less carbon compared to conventional jet fuel, although it is currently more expensive to produce. Firefly’s Chief Operations Officer, Paul Hilditch, stated that there is enough biosolids in the UK to produce over 200,000 tons of SAF, which could meet half of the mandated SAF demand in 2030.
Hilditch also claimed that converted sewage could be a cheaper and more abundant source of fuel, potentially fulfilling 5% of the UK airlines’ fuel needs.
By 2030, the UK government has mandated that at least 10% of airline fuel must be derived from sustainable feedstocks.
