On 24 March 2025, GIZ, under the international Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp), organised the 1st Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Working Group Meeting at Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit Hotel. The aim of the meeting was to foster discussions on key challenges and opportunities to promote SAF adoption in Thailand’s aviation sector. This meeting provided a continuation of the discussions among the SAF Working Group first initiated in October 2024.

The meeting participants comprised representatives from the private sector, relevant governmental agencies and research institutions, including Airbus Group (Thailand) Ltd., the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Department of Energy Business (DoEB), Energy Absolute plc, the National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC), German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), International Air Transport Association (IATA), PTT plc, PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) plc, Kasetsart University and others.

In her opening remarks, Dr Dominika Kalinowska, Director of Transport Projects of GIZ Thailand, linked SAF to a broader scope of Thailand’s energy transition and decarbonisation efforts. In this regard, she also invited the participants to gain insights from experts and engage in discussions on SAF adoption in the context of Thailand.

The first part of the meeting featured presentations by experts on the trajectory of SAF in the context of Thailand and Europe. Dr Nuwong Chollacoop, Director of Low Carbon Energy Research Group from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), reviewed Thailand’s aviation policies and presented insights from recent SAF stakeholder mapping efforts. Kelvin Lee, International Air Transport Association (IATA), introduced sustainability certification schemes for SAF produced through various procedures, including some of the processes and challenges, with an emphasis on airline companies and SAF providers. Next, Supawadee Ratanaphand from PTTGC shared industry perspectives towards SAF production using used cooking oil through co-processing, and the company’s SAF value chain – including fuels and other bioproducts. Lastly, Frank Mischler from the International PtX Hub Academy in Germany shared his insights on the European Union’s (EU) policy and regulations related to SAF in regional aviation fuel, highlighting measures that may have affect Thailand in the future.

(From left) Dr Nuwong Chollacoop from NSTDA and Supawadee Ratanaphand from PTTGC

Frank Mischler, International PtX Hub Academy in Germany, joined the meeting remotely

Following the plenary session, the participants engaged in an interactive group discussion on key challenges and opportunities for SAF integration, focusing on five identified key areas: Insufficient Policy Support, High Production Costs, Market Demand Uncertainty, Feedstock Availability Limitations, and Certification and Qualifications Processes. Throughout the discussions, the working group explored relevant geopolitical contexts, policy and market frameworks that influence the trajectory of SAF markets and innovation in Thailand’s aviation sector.

Interactive workshop on SAF challenges and opportunities in Thailand

Thailand can leverage its strategic location as a regional transport hub and supplier of diverse feedstocks to effectively integrate SAF and decarbonise the aviation sector. In line with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2050 net-zero target, Thailand requires local airlines to integrate SAF as a cleaner alternative, with a minimum blend of 1%, by 2026. This is part of the country’s aim to integrate SAF as a cleaner alternative, targeting a 1-2% SAF blend by 2030 and a long-term goal of 8% by 2036. At the end of January 2025, the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) also introduced a tax incentive programme with the aim of attracting business investment to develop aviation biofuels.

Financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the H2Uppp Programme is being executed globally by GIZ. Implemented in partnership with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), Thailand is H2Uppp’s regional hub for Southeast Asia. H2Uppp aims to support policy and market development for green hydrogen and Power-to-X through studies and training, the identification and initiation of public-private partnerships (PPP) and projects, and the promotion and dissemination of knowledge through the identification and connection of local and international hydrogen specialists, in particular, regarding the German private sector.

More information about H2Uppp Programme: https://www.thai-german-cooperation.info/en-us/international-hydrogen-ramp-up-programme-h2-uppp/