Building on Project SkyPower’s recent response to the European Commission’s call for evidence for the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the report highlights how Europe can position itself at the centre of a potential €350+ billion global renewable aviation fuel market.
To meet ReFuelEU 2030 targets, early e-SAF projects must reach final investment decisions within 18 months. The report examines how delivery risks can be effectively shared between developers, sponsors, contractors, OEMs, technology licensors, and the insurance sector, outlining pathways for better collaboration between public and private players.
While technical capability lies within the private sector, access to risk-tolerant, flexible capital remains a key challenge. The report underscores the vital role of EU Public Financial Institutions (PFIs), including the European Investment Bank, National Development Banks, and Export Credit Agencies, in bridging this gap.
It identifies five targeted instruments EU PFIs can deploy to complement, rather than replace, private sector accountability:
- Acting as cornerstone lenders for e-SAF projects
- Enhancing insurance products
- Providing contingent reserve facilities
- Supporting FEED-stage funding
- Backstopping and enhancing supplier guarantees
Although focused on e-SAF, the framework also offers a blueprint for accelerating investment in other innovative climate technologies through smarter risk-sharing and blended finance.
