Low-cost solar could help India produce SAF 40% cheaper, report finds
In India, Saurenergy reported that India could emerge as one of the world’s most competitive producers of sustainable aviation fuel by leveraging low-cost solar power and abundant agricultural residue, with production costs potentially up to 40% lower than global benchmarks, according to a new report by the India Energy & Climate Center (IECC) at UC Berkeley and Energy Innovation.
The report, India’s Aviation Opportunity: Turning Agricultural Residue and Low-Cost Solar into Competitive Sustainable Aviation Fuel with Power-and-Biomass-to-Liquids, says India is among the few countries with the two critical resources needed for large-scale SAF production—surplus crop residue and some of the world’s cheapest renewable power for green hydrogen production.
The study says India can produce SAF through the power-and-biomass-to-liquids (PBtL) pathway, which combines agricultural residues such as rice straw and wheat straw with green hydrogen produced using low-cost solar energy. The process converts the resulting synthesis gas into liquid fuels, including jet fuel that can be used in existing aircraft, according to the report.
Beyond exports, the report highlights several strategic benefits for India. Domestic SAF production could reduce the country’s exposure to crude oil and aviation fuel price volatility, particularly amid geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia. It could also help address the recurring issue of crop-residue burning in northern India by creating a commercial market for agricultural waste, it added.
Category: SAF
