Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE

تحت رعاية صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Supported by

Horst H. Mahmoudi

CEO & Executive Chairman

Smartenergy

Horst
Horst

Horst H. Mahmoudi has more than two decades of experience in the renewable energy sector. As the visionary founder of Smartenergy, he has played a pivotal role in steering the company since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of Edisun, a company listed on the Swiss stock exchange, where Smartenergy holds the majority stake. Mahmoudi's extensive technical acumen, coupled with his profound expertise in investment, sets him apart as a driving force in the industry.

Session Overview
Monday, 3 November
14:00
Decarbonisation Conference Room A 14:00 - 14:40
Bridging the supply-demand gap: aligning airline and energy sector strategies for SAF adoption

As airlines strive to meet decarbonisation goals by increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), supportive policies and long-term offtake agreements can help reduce costs and raise supply levels. A multifaceted, solutions-driven approach – including collaborative partnerships that enhance SAF production and research – will be needed to bridge the supply-demand gap. Regulatory support in the form of mandates and incentives can also help mitigate investment risks and ensure consistent supply. At the same time, the ability to scale up production and optimise usage will depend on infrastructure development (particularly in blending and distribution) and financial support, like the Bank of America's $2 billion commitment. Entities such as the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) are already working to bridge the supply-demand gap by aggregating corporate requirements for SAF, providing a predictable market for producers. Combined with the backing of policymakers, these efforts offer the best possible chance of aligning strategies between airlines and energy producers, scaling SAF adoption and securing a sustainable future for the aviation industry. 

Attendee insights:

Learn how airlines, fuel producers, investors and policymakers are aligning SAF demand and supply strategies, and what it will take to scale production while maintaining commercial viability.

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