Abu Dhabi and Evolve Fuels Chart Course for Synthetic Aviation Fuel Production

A strategic collaboration between the Department of Energy and an international clean fuel specialist signals Abu Dhabi's ambitions to become a global hub for sustainable aviation fuel, leveraging the Emirate's renewable energy and carbon capture capabilities.

The Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi and Evolve Fuels AG have signed a collaboration agreement at ADIPEC 2026 to explore the investment potential and commercial feasibility of producing synthetic sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi. The partnership represents a significant step toward positioning the Emirate as a leader in the emerging e-SAF market, a sector anticipated to expand rapidly as regulatory frameworks across Europe and the UK mandate greater use of sustainable fuels in aviation.

The three-pillar agreement encompasses connecting Abu Dhabi investors and partners with Evolve Fuels’ international project pipeline, supporting the development of policy and regulatory frameworks tailored to e-SAF production, and charting a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for domestic manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration will examine the technical and commercial dimensions of producing e-SAF, drawing on Abu Dhabi’s abundant renewable energy resources, hydrogen capabilities and advanced carbon capture technologies.

The assessment will encompass infrastructure requirements, potential industry partnerships, customer identification, and opportunities for investment and knowledge transfer. A joint steering committee will oversee the evaluation of potential initiatives, ensuring that any future development aligns with market demand and Abu Dhabi’s industrial priorities.

Synthetic sustainable aviation fuel represents a technological advancement in the pursuit of cleaner skies. The fuel can be manufactured using renewable electricity, hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, creating a circular solution to aviation’s emissions challenge. As the aviation industry navigates mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint whilst meeting global demand, e-SAF emerges as a critical component of the sector’s transition strategy.

Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Obaidli, Director-General of Regulatory Affairs at the Department of Energy, reflected on the significance of the initiative. He noted that sustainable aviation fuel holds potential to reshape aviation’s future, and that the agreement provides Abu Dhabi with an opportunity to assess how its energy resources and industrial capabilities can support this emerging market whilst creating pathways for investment and technology partnerships. He emphasised the Department’s commitment to establishing the regulatory and commercial foundations necessary for competitive and practical projects capable of delivering lasting value.

Horst H. Mahmoudi, CEO and Executive Chairman of Smartenergy, the parent company of Evolve Fuels, described the partnership as a catalyst for accelerating e-SAF projects at a moment when the market requires both scale and speed. He articulated an ambition to position Abu Dhabi as a dominant global player within a market set for rapid expansion as regulatory quotas take effect.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to advanced industrial development and clean energy innovation. As the Emirate advances its comprehensive strategy for sustainable energy development, as we reported in our coverage of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious energy trajectory, such partnerships crystallise the connection between renewable energy infrastructure and high-value industrial applications. The development of e-SAF production capabilities would diversify Abu Dhabi’s industrial base whilst capitalising on existing investments in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies.

The initiative aligns with the Department of Energy’s wider mandate to develop the policies and regulatory conditions that enable investment and support Abu Dhabi’s long-term energy and economic priorities. By establishing the right foundations now, Abu Dhabi positions itself to capture opportunities arising from the substantial and growing global demand for sustainable aviation fuels, whilst reinforcing its reputation as a leader in clean energy innovation and technological advancement.

Source: WAM