India’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production has the potential to reach 8-10 million tonnes by 2040, according to a Deloitte India report. This output would surpass the country’s domestic needs, positioning India as a potential exporter of SAF.
The report estimates that the development of SAF production will require investments of between USD 70-85 billion. These efforts are expected to reduce India’s annual carbon emissions by 20-25 million tonnes, contributing to the decarbonization of the aviation sector.
The project is also expected to create between 1.1 and 1.4 million jobs, providing economic stimulus alongside environmental benefits.
A key aspect of the plan involves the use of 230 million tonnes of agricultural residue as feedstock for SAF production. This is projected to reduce the country’s annual crude oil import bill by USD 5-7 billion.