Exolum has announced a £4.5mn ($5.5mn) investment to develop the United Kingdom’s first independent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending site. The facility, planned for Redcliffe Bay in south-west England, forms part of a broader strategy to establish a national network of interconnected SAF blending hubs.
A network to connect producers and airports
This infrastructure will enable SAF distribution to airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff via Exolum’s national aviation fuel pipeline network. The Redcliffe Bay site will be integrated into a planned SAF “Superhighway”, a logistical corridor linking producers and importers to the UK jet fuel market. This corridor could eventually support 40% of departing flights from the country’s airports.
Unblended SAF will initially be delivered by ship to Royal Portbury Dock in Bristol before being transported via pipeline to the Redcliffe Bay site, where it will be stored and blended with conventional aviation fuel.
Operational target set for 2026
First deliveries of blended SAF are expected in 2026. At full capacity, the site could supply enough fuel to support up to 64,741 London–New York transatlantic flights annually. The investment is also intended to stimulate the development of regional SAF production plants, particularly in south-west England and southern Wales.
Several infrastructure upgrades are planned at Exolum’s existing site: conversion of aviation fuel storage tanks to accommodate SAF, installation of blending systems to meet technical standards, and integration of new pumps and valves to ensure safe circulation and distribution.
Political and industrial backing
The project aligns with ongoing legislative developments, including the UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, which introduces new financial mechanisms to support SAF production. The government has also announced £63mn ($77.1mn) in funding for domestic SAF initiatives.
Sector representatives and local officials have welcomed the project, citing its potential to attract future investment and generate technical employment in the region. Redcliffe Bay is seen as a strategic asset in advancing the UK’s SAF supply chain.
