Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, speaks at the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, speaks at the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, speaks at the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, speaks at the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Fossil fuel producers must play bigger role in sustainable aviation, UAE minister says


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Fossil fuel producers need to play a bigger role in boosting the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are key to the aviation industry’s net-zero efforts, the UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure has said.

Accelerating the adoption of SAF and the creation of a market for the low-carbon fuel would require support from fossil fuel companies, Suhail Al Mazrouei said during a panel session at the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels in Dubai on Monday.

“We need to transition, and we need to transition quickly, but to transition, you need to create the market [and] to create the market, you need to start from those who are producing the fuel of today,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.

“They [energy companies] are willing to help the aviation sector to transition. It's obvious that some of those you see them today and I'm sure others will follow.”

SAF, alternative fuel made from renewable sources that can be used to power aircraft, is crucial for the global aviation industry to reach its net-zero goals by 2050. The aviation sector is responsible for about 2 per cent of global CO2 emissions.

The UAE, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, is engaging with oil and gas producers to produce more SAF, Mr Al Mazrouei said. He added that significant investments would be required along with more private sector participation.

Participants in the panel also called for a more inclusive transition to SAF, given economic differences between regions.

“Our goal is not to reduce flying, but our goal is to reduce carbon emissions,” said Chee Tat, Singapore’s acting Minister for Transport.

“[Asia] is a region where we still have strong economic growth potential. We still have many millions of people who may not have [had] a chance to travel yet … so, it is important that we do not deny them the benefits of travel.”

It is also important to set quantifiable goals for the reduction of carbon emissions to send a “clear” signal to fuel producers and financial institutions, he added.

Investors want a “quantified outcome” to ensure the durability of their investments, added Annie Petsonk, US assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs.

“If they're going to make major investments to allow sustainable aviation fuel to be produced in refineries to develop feedstocks and supply chains, they want to be sure that governments are serious about this transition,” Ms Petsonk said at the event on Monday.

SAF is expected to contribute to about 65 per cent of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero in 2050, according to the International Air Transport Association.

However, SAF currently comprises less than 1 per cent of all jet fuel used globally.

Mr Al Mazrouei said that the aviation industry also needed to consider the price of alternative fuels to protect consumers.

“We need to be mindful of the transition speed and the impact on the consumers,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it's going to be the consumers who are going to decide if the price of the alternative is something that they can afford.”

Last year, the average SAF price estimate was about $2,400 per tonne, about two and half times higher than the price of jet fuel, according to Iata.

UAE launches SAF research initiative

The UAE on Monday launched a research consortium that will focus on developing, producing and advancing SAF technologies.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy (first left, back row) with Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy (second left, back row) with other officials during the signing ceremony at the conference. Pawan Singh / The National
Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy (first left, back row) with Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy (second left, back row) with other officials during the signing ceremony at the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

The consortium is made up of eight entities that include Adnoc, Boeing, Emirates, Enoc Group, Etihad Airways, Honeywell, Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company Masdar.

The UAE Centre for Renewable and Advanced Fuel Technologies for Aviation – called Air-Craft for short – will bring together industrial policymakers, aviation regulators, fuel producers, academics, researchers, plane makers, power plant manufacturers and airlines.

The new initiative was announced at the sidelines of the event, with less than two weeks to go before the Cop28 climate conference in Dubai.

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Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

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Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

 

 

 


 

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

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ASTON VILLA 2015-16

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FULHAM 2018-19

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LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

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The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

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October 2021

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December 2024

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May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

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November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: November 22, 2023, 6:13 AM