Twelve, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) startup, recently announced $645 million in new funding to help complete the construction of its facility in Moses Lake, Washington. The company broke ground on the plant, called AirPlant One, in July 2023, making it the first commercial-scale SAF facility in both the state and the company’s history. This facility is expected to begin operations next year and will play a crucial role in providing cleaner fuel for the aviation industry.
The aviation sector is currently facing challenges in decarbonizing and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. Many industry leaders are turning to SAF as a quick near-term solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SAF has the potential to replace traditional jet fuel in existing aircraft and is seen as a primary solution for powering long-distance flights considering the limitations of other clean alternatives like batteries and hydrogen. At AirPlant One, Twelve plans to use liquid ethanol from Washington as its carbon source and hydropower from local dams for energy to produce its E-Jet fuel.
In addition to Twelve’s efforts, there are multiple SAF initiatives underway in Washington state. SkyNRG is working on building a SAF facility in Eastern Washington, while Snohomish County leaders and Washington State University have announced plans for an SAF Research & Development Center to support the adoption of this cleaner fuel. These collaborations and investments reflect the growing interest and need for sustainable aviation fuel solutions in the region and beyond.
Twelve has also established partnerships with key industry players to support its fuel production efforts. The California-based company has a memorandum of understanding with Alaska Airlines and Microsoft, highlighting the wide-ranging support and potential impact of their SAF production. These partnerships will be crucial in driving the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources within the aviation sector.
Despite the enthusiasm and momentum around SAF, production levels remain relatively low, accounting for less than 1% of the aviation fuel used today. This underscores the need for increased investment, research, and collaboration in the sustainable aviation fuel industry to scale up production and make a significant impact on reducing emissions. With the support of government entities, industry partners, and innovative startups like Twelve, the aviation sector is poised to make significant strides in sustainability and environmental stewardship in the coming years. By investing in and supporting initiatives like AirPlant One and other SAF projects, stakeholders can help drive the aviation industry towards a more sustainable future.
