Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Working Group kick-off meeting engages Thailand’s key stakeholders on SAF challenges and development

H2Uppp organises a kick-off meeting for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Working Group, continuing the collaboration between key stakeholders in and around SAF development in Thailand’s aviation sector
- H2Uppp Thailand organised a kick-off meeting for the SAF Working Group to foster collaboration and discussions on SAF challenges and development among Thai and German stakeholders in the aviation sector.
- The SAF Working Group workshop series will provide a platform for industry stakeholders to identify challenges, brainstorm project ideas, and develop promising business models to support the adoption of green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) in Thailand’s aviation sector.
On 21 November 2024, the International Hydrogen Ramp-Up (H2Uppp) programme in Thailand organised a kick-off meeting for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Working Group, which aims to foster collaboration between Thai and German stakeholders supporting the development and adoption of SAF in Thailand’s aviation industry. Approximately 30 participants from the public, private and academic sectors attended the meeting, including key stakeholders in the aviation industry such as PTT plc, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) Thailand, Energy Absolute plc (EA), Thai Oil Group, and airline representatives.
“As we all know, the aviation industry is a major part of Thailand’s economy, contributing significantly to both tourism and business. But it also faces growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions. SAF, in fact, presents a promising solution, and this working group aims to address challenges, explore opportunities, and accelerate SAF adoption in the country,” said Insa Illgen, Programme Director of Thai-German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate (TGC EMC), GIZ Thailand..

Insa Illgen, Programme Director of Thai-German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate (TGC EMC), GIZ Thailand, presides over the opening remarks of the meeting
The event brought together key experts to provide valuable updates on SAF development in Thailand and globally. The plenary session began with Tim Nees, H2Uppp Project Manager, who briefly introduced the programme and outlined the objectives of the SAF Working Group. Penni Peng from Neste Renewable Aviation, shared an in-depth perspective on the SAF value chain, addressing global challenges and opportunities in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Dr Nuwong Chollacoop and Dr Visarn Lilavat from the National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC) reviewed Thailand’s aviation policies and presented insights from their recent SAF stakeholder mapping efforts. Markus Roth from Rieckermann (Thailand) showcased innovative approaches for converting waste oils into SAF. Finally, Frank Mischler from the International PtX Hub Academy from Germany highlighted European Union (EU) SAF policies and the role of Power-to-Liquids (PtL) technology in advancing SAF production.

Dr Nuwong Chollacoop, Low Carbon Energy Research Group Director and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Team Leader, ENTEC
The meeting participants also engaged in a subsequent brainstorming workshop to discuss and identify topics related to challenges and pathways of SAF development in Thailand. The key topics participants were most interested in were Government Incentives, Feedstock & Jet Fuel Demand, and Sustainability & Certification, respectively. To foster the momentum and engagement created thus far, H2Uppp plans to conduct the ‘SAF Business Case’ workshop series every two months. These sessions will continue fostering collaboration within the group, promote project ideation and the development of promising business models, and address market trends, regulatory frameworks and the role of the public sector in supporting sustainable aviation.
Thailand’s 2024 Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) prioritises SAF as a key element of the decarbonisation strategy for the aviation sector. The country aims to integrate SAF as a cleaner alternative, targeting a 1-2% SAF blend by 2030, with an interim goal of 1% by 2026 and a long-term goal of 8% by 2036. The government of Thailand is also studying the economic and operational impacts of large-scale SAF adoption, projecting 1.85 million litres per day by 2037. This fits with Thailand’s commitment to reducing aviation carbon emissions and enhancing energy independence in line with international environmental standards.

Frank Mischler, International PtX Hub Academy in Germany



Meeting participants brainstorm for topics on SAF challenges and development in Thailand
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 the policy and market development for green H2 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 H2 specialists, in particular, regarding the German private sector.
Tim Nees
H2Uppp Project Manager
Email:tim.nees(at)giz.de