Abu Dhabi Department of Energy Signs Agreement with Evolve Fuels to Explore Local e-SAF Production
Why It MattersGulf energy regulators are starting to treat synthetic aviation fuel as an industrial and export opportunity, tying future supply to European and UK fuel mandates rather than only to local airline demand.
Abu Dhabi's Department of Energy (DoE) has signed an agreement with Evolve Fuels at ADIPEC 2026 to explore the potential for producing synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) in the Emirate, while connecting Abu Dhabi investors and partners with Evolve Fuels' international project pipeline. The collaboration covers three areas: identifying Abu Dhabi investors and partners for Evolve Fuels' international projects, supporting the development of policy and regulatory frameworks for e-SAF, and preparing a strategy and roadmap for potential production in the Emirate.
The partners will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of local production, drawing on Abu Dhabi's renewable energy, hydrogen and carbon capture resources. The assessment will also cover infrastructure and technology requirements, potential industry partners and future customers, and opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, technology transfer and local capability development. A joint steering committee will oversee the assessment of potential initiatives and projects. e-SAF is produced using renewable electricity, hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, and emerging fuel requirements in Europe and the UK are expected to support demand in the coming years.
Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Obaidli, Director-General of Regulatory Affairs at the DoE, said the agreement would help assess how Abu Dhabi's energy resources and industrial capabilities could support the sustainable aviation fuel market, with the focus on establishing the regulatory and commercial foundations needed to ensure projects are competitive, practical and capable of delivering long-term value. Horst H. Mahmoudi, CEO and Executive Chairman of Smartenergy, said Evolve Fuels is developing an investment platform that aggregates and accelerates e-SAF projects, beginning in Europe, and that the agreement would open its pipeline to Abu Dhabi investors and partners.
The next phase will focus on identifying priority opportunities and evaluating the technical, commercial and regulatory requirements for potential projects. Any future investment or production facilities remain subject to further evaluation and separate agreements, with decisions based on market demand, commercial viability and Abu Dhabi's long-term industrial priorities.
