ClimaHtech Green Flight has been nominated for a Sustainable Aviation Futures Trailblazer Award (SAFTA), with the awards set to take place on 16 June at SAF Congress 2026 in Amsterdam.
As global momentum builds around energy security and decarbonisation, the case for decentralised, modular sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production—co-located with renewable energy and closer to demand—has never been clearer.
Green Flight is designed to support this shift—enabling the development and validation of next-generation SAF through electrically driven, modular E-FUEL GEN and BIOHGEN technologies. By supporting scalable e-SAF and bio-SAF pathways, the programme is helping accelerate the transition to more sustainable aviation.
The nomination in the Startup to Watch category reflects the growing importance of innovation across the SAF value chain and aligns with the SAFTAs’ focus on recognising ambition being translated into real-world outcomes.
It is a strong endorsement of the role Green Flight is playing in enabling practical, scalable solutions for the future of flight.
The Sustainable Aviation Futures Trailblazer Awards will be held during SAF Congress 2026, a key industry event bringing together stakeholders from across aviation and energy to drive collaboration and progress.
Learn more about the awards:
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1.Production follows the power — facilities move to where renewable electricity already exists or can be accessed easily.
2. Modularity enables scale — growth comes from deploying more units in more locations, not expanding a single plant.
3. Grid dependency is reduced — units can operate on constrained, curtailed, or behind-the-meter power as they can be deployed close to renewables.
4. Regionalisation improves resilience — localised SAF supply reduces transport emissions and infrastructure risk, improving energy security and resilience.
In essence, decentralisation means rethinking SAF not as a single mega-facility, but as a network of distributed production nodes, each sized to match the renewable resources around them.
How the Model Could work in Practice
ClimaHtech Green Flight’s modular systems embody this decentralised approach. Each unit includes:
- Electrically driven chemical reactor technology.
- Reverse water-gas shift and Fischer-Tropsch reactors powered by renewable electricity.
- Integration for H2 and CO₂ inputs, such as the BIOHGEN technology to produce SAF from biomass (non-HEFA) or electrolytic H2 and DAC CO2 for e-SAF.
- Output of one to ten million litres of neat SAF per site annually optimised to match available renewable power.
- A power requirement of roughly 1.8 MW per 1M litres of SAF, suitable for ~50% (>4,000) of the UK’s windfarms that produce around 2MW of electricity due to load factors. This enables SAF production to ‘scale out’ across a huge number of renewable sites.
- CATAGEN’s control and safety systems allow for remote, 24/7 operation, maximising uptime and minimising labour costs.
Because the unit size is matched to the scale of common renewable generation assets, these systems can slot into a variety of locations:
- Wind farms producing excess electricity
- Solar sites with seasonal peaks
- Local grids where industrial-scale connections are not feasible or infrastructure constraints that stop renewable electricity being fully utilised
- Airports seeking local SAF production to meet uplift requirements
This level of flexibility is what allows decentralised systems to scale quickly: deployment can happen where conditions are optimal without waiting for multi-year grid upgrades or development of mega-scale renewable projects such as offshore wind farms.
Why the Decentralised SAF Model Matters
- Accelerates time-to-market
Large refinery projects often take years to reach FID, and several more to build. Smaller decentralised units can be prefabricated and deployed in parallel, dramatically shortening deployment. - Unlocks underutilised renewable power
Curtailment is not just an energy inefficiency; it is a missed economic opportunity. Decentralised units can convert this lost electricity into high-value molecules that support aviation’s decarbonisation. - Reduces infrastructure risk
Grid connections are often the most expensive and uncertain part of project development. Decentralised systems reduce dependence on large-scale infrastructure, enabling projects that would otherwise be unviable while also reducing the time to deploy. - Spreads financial risk
Multiple smaller projects with lower upfront capital requirements are more accessible to private equity, infrastructure funds, and regional investors. This provides more access to SAF production capacity to more parts of the SAF ecosystem. - Supports regional resilience
Decentralised SAF production can supply local airports directly, reducing transport emissions and aligning with upcoming airport-level SAF mandates, and providing energy security. SAF can be produced locally in areas with renewable energy, reducing reliance on imported fuel.
Why Decentralise SAF Now
To meet the ambitious SAF mandates set by the UK, EU, and beyond, we need a broad portfolio of solutions working together to meet the industries need for sustainable fuel. All approved SAF pathways have a vital role to play in decarbonising aviation at scale. A collaborative, diversified approach is essential, and decentralisation is a powerful part of the solution.
Check out the clip below of Mel Courtney on The SAF Podcast, discussing how decentralised SAF production can tap into existing renewable electricity.
ClimaHtech Green Flight CEO Features on The SAF Podcast – The Modular Route to Decentralised SAF Supply
PRESS RELEASE: CATAGEN Launches Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company
Jet Fuel Redefined: ClimaHtech’s Decentralised Path to Cleaner Skies
