Cepsa expands sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program across Spain’s top airports
Cepsa has begun selling sustainable aviation fuel at key airports in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Seville. The move comes as a large portion of Spain’s passenger traffic passes through these hubs, and the company reports steady uptake of SAF among airlines seeking lower-emission options.
The energy company is the first in the country to offer biofuel on a permanent basis at four of Spain’s major gateways, with production centered at the La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva and other sites. The fuel is produced from organic waste and used cooking oils, turning waste streams into a drop-in solution for aviation decarbonization.
This milestone follows a period in which Maarten Wetselaar’s leadership saw SAF delivered to more than 100 countries, including a landmark operation at Seville airport featuring 200 flights. This action set a precedent as the first SAF supply of its kind at a Southern European airport and highlighted SPains role in advancing sustainable aviation.
Cepsa Aviation Director Toby Pardo underscored the company’s ambition to make sustainable aviation a practical reality as soon as possible. He explained that the ongoing availability of SAF across major Spanish airports enables airlines to accelerate their decarbonization journeys and integrate sustainable fuel into their operations for the first time in the country.
Within its strategy called Positive Action, Cepsa is building an ecosystem aimed at speeding decarbonization for industrial customers, heavy transport, and the company itself through the creation of green molecules, notably renewable hydrogen and biofuels. This approach emphasizes practical steps toward cleaner energy and lowered emissions in transportation and industry.
In aviation, Cepsa intends to lead SAF production in Spain and Portugal, aiming for an annual capacity of 800,000 tons by 2030. The plan projects the aviation fleet to fly roughly 2,000 times more of the planet while leveraging SAF as a core decarbonization tool.
As part of this effort, the company has formed cooperation agreements with leading Spanish airlines to promote decarbonization from the air, including Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, Air Nostrum, Binter, TUI, Etihad, Wizz Air, and Volotea.
In collaboration with Bio-Oils, Cepsa plans to build what will be the second-largest biofuel plant in Southern Europe, with a substantial investment totaling around 1.0 billion euros. The facility is expected to produce up to 1,000 million euros in sustainable fuels, capable of significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared with conventional fuels. The plant is slated to be located in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, and will feature flexible production capacity to meet varying demand.
The project envisions producing up to 500,000 tons of SAF and renewable diesel, supporting a broader shift toward cleaner aviation and industrial energy solutions. The initiative aligns with broader European goals to decarbonize travel and transport while fostering regional energy resilience.
Through these efforts, Cepsa aims to demonstrate a practical path to lower-emission aviation, with SAF serving as a cornerstone technology for future flight operations. The company continues to emphasize real-world impact, working with industry partners to scale production, expand airport access, and drive down costs for airlines and passengers alike. [citation: Cepsa press release on SAF expansion]n