Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has taken a significant step towards India’s clean aviation journey by commissioning a demonstration plant for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Visakh Refinery. The plant will produce SAF by co-processing used cooking oil (UCO) in the refinery’s existing infrastructure, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. This initiative is expected to contribute to India’s efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector and advance a circular, waste-to-wealth economy.
The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, praised the initiative, stating that it brings India closer to achieving its SAF blending goals of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030. The project is a reflection of the country’s progress towards cleaner and more sustainable aviation fuels under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Visakh Refinery is expected to produce around 10,000 metric tonnes of SAF annually from January 2027, following CORSIA certification.
The production of SAF is expected to enhance India’s energy self-reliance, align domestic fuel production with global CORSIA standards, and support the country’s Net-Zero emissions commitments. Several public sector undertakings and research institutions, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, are actively engaged in SAF production and research.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) as a global, market-based mechanism to reduce emissions from international flights. India’s efforts to produce SAF are in line with this global initiative, and the country is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint in the aviation sector. Overall, the commissioning of the SAF demonstration plant at the Visakh Refinery is a significant milestone in India’s clean aviation journey and a step towards a more sustainable future.