Morocco is emerging as a key option being considered by Swiss company Synhelion, a leader in sustainable fuel production, for establishing concentrated solar power projects aimed at generating synthetic aviation fuel. This interest in Morocco is due to its abundant solar radiation, advanced industrial infrastructure, and high logistical capabilities to access the essential raw materials required for such projects.
Synhelion aims to create facilities capable of converting concentrated sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into clean synthetic kerosene, which can be used as sustainable fuel for aircraft. With its geographical location and environmental and technological qualifications, Morocco is seen as an ideal candidate to support efforts to shift towards low-emission aviation fuel in Europe and North Africa, according to the Energy Platform.
In parallel with its future plans, the company is preparing to establish the world’s first solar fuel station in southern Spain, named RISE, with expectations to commence commercial operations by 2027. This station will utilize concentrated solar power technology to operate a thermochemical reactor that produces synthetic gas, which will then be converted into kerosene using the industrial Fischer-Tropsch unit.
Synhelion aims to gradually increase its production capacity, aspiring to produce one million tons of solar fuel annually by 2033 and cover up to 50% of Europe’s sustainable aviation fuel needs by 2040, potentially bringing a radical transformation to the global aviation sector.
Recent media reports revealed the company’s intent to build a solar fuel station with a production capacity of 100,000 tons annually, as part of its expansion plan into promising locations like Morocco, which enjoys a unique blend of natural resources and a strategic location to support these future initiatives.
