Scotland’s Grangemouth oil refinery should be transformed into a production site for sustainable aviation fuel, according to Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) president Jacqueline Dobson.
Petroineos plans to shut down the refinery in the summer, with 400 workers set to lose their jobs.
Dobson welcomed the UK government’s announcement that a further £200 million would be invested in identifying future uses for the plant, but outlined her backing for a SAF facility.
“Transitioning Grangemouth to a SAF production site could put Scotland on the world stage as SAF producers – not to mention supporting hundreds of jobs,” she told guests at the SPAA’s annual dinner in Glasgow.
She added: “Scotland has time and time again demonstrated its capabilities in the sustainability arena – with our airlines, cruise lines, operators and airports leading the charge for making real change when it comes to native carbon reductions.
“But we are missing out on a huge opportunity to be world-class leaders.”
In addition to the latest UK government funding announcement, the Scottish government has also pledged a further £25 million. Both governments were already working together on future options for the refinery site and had previously invested £100 million into the project.
Dobson said: “It is positive to hear the news this week that the UK government does intend to provide new funding.
“However, timing will be critical in order to safeguard jobs and the devil will be in the detail on whether the plant will move forward with a transformative SAF production facility.”
Photo: Grangemouth oil refinery. (Credit: Shutterstock/orxy.)