Energy – India Moves Ahead with First Ethanol-Based Jet Fuel Plant Project
Energy – India has taken a significant step toward cleaner aviation as construction begins on the country’s first Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility. The project follows the awarding of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract to GPS Renewables by NTPC Limited, marking a new phase in domestic fuel innovation.
Project site and strategic location
The upcoming facility will be developed at the Green Hydrogen Hub operated by NTPC Green Energy Limited in Pudimadaka. This site falls within the APIIC industrial zone at Atchuthapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalle district. The location has been chosen to support integrated clean energy production, aligning with broader efforts to build a strong renewable fuel ecosystem within the country.
Collaboration and technical partnerships
GPS Renewables will take the lead role in executing the project, managing all major phases from design to commissioning. The company is working alongside established global and domestic partners to ensure technical reliability. Lummus Technology will supply the licensed ETJ process and provide core engineering inputs, while Xytel India has been assigned responsibility for detailed engineering of the primary processing systems.
Scope of work and execution timeline
The project involves a comprehensive execution plan, covering engineering, procurement, construction, and eventual commissioning of the plant. In addition to the main fuel production units, GPS Renewables will oversee hydrogen generation systems and necessary utility infrastructure. According to the current schedule, construction and installation are expected to be completed by March 2029. This will be followed by a one-year operational support phase after commissioning to stabilise output and performance.
Production capacity and technology process
Once operational, the plant is designed to produce approximately 1,800 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually. The production process begins with ethanol derived from carbon dioxide, which is then converted into ethylene. This is followed by oligomerisation of olefins and further hydroprocessing, resulting in sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. The approach reflects a shift toward using alternative carbon sources to create lower-emission fuels for aviation.
Industry perspective on sustainable aviation fuel
According to Mainak Chakraborty, Co-founder and CEO of GPS Renewables, sustainable aviation fuel is emerging as a crucial tool for reducing emissions in the aviation sector. He highlighted that the partnership with Lummus Technology is intended to bring scalable and commercially viable SAF production methods to India.
Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer at Lummus Technology, noted that this project represents a transition from conceptual development to real-world implementation of ethanol-to-jet technology. He also pointed out that India’s existing ethanol infrastructure provides a solid base for expanding such advanced fuel solutions.
Role of GPS Renewables in clean energy
Based in Bengaluru, GPS Renewables has been active in developing technologies for renewable fuels, including biogas and compressed biogas systems. The company has also collaborated with public sector oil companies to expand biofuel production capacity across India. This latest project adds to its growing portfolio in sustainable energy infrastructure and positions it as a key contributor to India’s transition toward cleaner fuel alternatives.