Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 20, On October 15, Exolum, Europe’s leading energy logistics company, announced a £4.5 million investment to establish the United Kingdom’s first independent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility at Redcliffe Bay in southwest England. The project marks the first step in Exolum’s plan to develop a national network of SAF blending hubs, supporting the country’s efforts to promote greener aviation.

The announcement coincides with progress on the U.K.’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, which introduces subsidies to accelerate domestic SAF production. SAF is a renewable “drop-in” biofuel that can be blended with conventional aviation fuel and used in aircraft without engine modifications, helping reduce aviation-related carbon emissions.

Through this investment, Exolum will blend SAF into its national aviation fuel pipeline network, enhancing supplies to airports in southern England and Wales, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Exeter, and Cardiff. The Redcliffe Bay facility will serve as the first of several planned blending hubs across Exolum’s 2,000-kilometer pipeline network, forming a “SAF Superhighway” that connects producers and importers with major aviation markets and supports around 40% of flights departing from U.K. airports.

The Redcliffe Bay site is expected to begin operations in 2026. Once operational, the facility will help decarbonize the equivalent of up to 64,741 flights from London to New York annually, contributing to long-term sustainability in the aviation sector. The project will also enable green investment in SAF production across the U.K., particularly in southwest England and southern Wales, by providing a reliable route to market for future production facilities.

Unblended SAF will be delivered by ships to Bristol’s Royal Portbury Dock before being transported via pipeline to Redcliffe Bay. It will then be stored, blended with conventional aviation fuel, and distributed through Exolum’s national pipeline system. Infrastructure upgrades at Redcliffe Bay will include converting existing storage tanks to handle SAF, installing advanced blending systems to ensure technical compliance, and upgrading pumps, filtration, and valve systems to efficiently circulate and transport the fuel.

Stephen Land, Exolum’s North West Europe Lead, stated: “Exolum’s investment at Redcliffe Bay is turning the U.K.’s ambitions for greener flights into reality, whilst helping secure the country’s world-leading position at the forefront of global sustainable aviation.”

U.K. Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP welcomed the initiative: “I’m excited to see the rollout of Exolum’s SAF network, which will help support regional jobs and strengthen our SAF policies, including the SAF Bill now progressing through Parliament.”

Sadik Al Hassan MP, representing North Somerset, emphasized the project’s local and national benefits: “Exolum’s £4.5 million investment will support technical jobs in southwest England and attract green investment to the region.”

Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, added: “This investment is vital for the SAF supply chain and aligns with our commitment to support the U.K.’s SAF mandate as part of our goal to become a net zero airport by 2050.”

The project reinforces Exolum’s commitment to sustainable energy infrastructure while advancing the U.K.’s transition toward low-carbon aviation.