The proposals
This initial development would deliver an Alcohol-to-Jet facility in Port Talbot, which would transform sustainably sourced ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel.
If approved, this is expected to create over 150 full-time jobs, including 85 jobs on-site alongside further employment in the supply chain as Lanzatech draw from specialist local contractors in water management, waste treatment and ship loading/unloading.
When compared with conventional jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel reduces the production of greenhouse gases by more than 70%.
The facility has the potential to produce around 90% sustainable aviation fuel and 10% sustainable diesel, that would be sold as a sustainable road diesel.
When operational, the proposed Alcohol-to-Jet facility in Port Talbot would produce about 100 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel per year, around 10% of the sustainable aviation fuel that the UK plans to use by 2030.
Following two stages of local consultation, we have now submitted a planning application to Neath Port Talbot Council. The Council will be undertaking its own local consultation on the application.
Why Port Talbot and what opportunities does this create here?
Port Talbot, which is at the forefront of innovative thinking on net zero, is an ideal location for this investment. The proposals sit within a wider strategy for decarbonisation in South Wales, led by the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), to deliver net zero for the region.
There is extensive industrial heritage and experience in the region, which offers a significant skills and knowledge pool to draw on. There is a range of potential sources of industrial waste gases that can be used for the future LanzaTech gas fermentation process.
The site is set within an established industrial area upon the docks, with easy port access to other key UK port locations, such as Milford Haven and Port of Bristol.
The proposed facilities will create invaluable experience in the UK and put Port Talbot at the forefront of this innovative industry that is developing globally. This will ensure that the region leads the way on sustainable aviation fuel production and generating long-term, skilled jobs.
Project Dragon would:
Put Neath Port Talbot at the forefront of delivering innovative carbon reduction industries.
Create invaluable experience, with Port Talbot leading the way on sustainable aviation and sustainable diesel production.
Generate over 150 jobs, including 85 on-site long-term skilled jobs.
Wider context plan (click to enlarge)
The design
The design of the facility has been informed by technical, operation and safety requirements. The plant and its design provide the facilities to perform the innovative technological process that transforms sustainable ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel.
The tallest structure would be 51 metres high with the rest of the development being built to a maximum of 45 metres. The proposed heights have been reduced through the design process through incorporating an ‘enclosed ground flare’ rather than a traditional ‘elevated flare’ (a tall concrete pillar, which could have been around 80 metres high). This change in the design will mean the flare will be enclosed within a shorter and wider structure – reducing any potential visual impact of the site.
An illustrative visualisation to show the proposed layout for the Alcohol to Jet facility
Safety
Safety is integral to the design, construction and operation of the facility. Separate to the planning team, a separate specialist team of experts will be comprehensively assessing safety and securing all necessary consents and permits to ensure its safe operation.
Local roads and transport
Once operational, the facility will not result in a significant increase in traffic – with the imported ethanol required for the process and sustainable aviation fuel produced being transported in and out of Port Talbot via ship, making use of the working harbour.
Ecology and biodiversity
The proposals would redevelop a former industrial brownfield site, and a range of ecology surveys have been undertaken.
An Environmental Statement has been submitted as a part of the planning application. The Statement provides a description of likely significant environmental effects that the proposed development could cause, as well as any enhancement or proposed mitigation to avoid, reduce or offset environment effects.
Frequently asked questions
Responses to FAQs, including technical considerations and the planning process are outlined in the drop-down themed boxes below. Click on the question to view responses.
The site
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A. The site is owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) and will be leased by LanzaTech.
The facility and the process
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A. The main features, required to carry out the process to transform ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel include:
Ethanol storage
Processing unit
Enclosed ground flare
Product storage
Administration building
Warehouse and laboratory buildings
Sustainable diesel truck loading
Ship loading and unloading facilities
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A. The Alcohol-to-Jet plant first dehydrates the ethanol to make ethylene. Two further steps then combine the ethylene molecules into long chains (oligamerisation) before a final step saturates the long chain hydrogen carbon molecules created in a step called hydrogenation.
Safety
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A. All necessary safety features will be incorporated into the design, for example the ‘enclosed ground flare’, which acts like a safety valve for the process.
Further assessments will continue to be done through the planning process to evaluate and address all safety considerations for the process. Detail on this and any proposed mitigation measures will be set out in the Environmental Statement, accompanying the planning application.
This would be a Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) site and therefore agreement from the Health and Safety operative would be required to make sure that the site is safe.
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Consideration to fire risk and safety is integral to the design and layout of the proposed facility. It will be considered and addressed comprehensively through the COMAH and permitting processes with the Health and Safety Executive and Natural Resources Wales. Fire and Rescue Authorities are a statutory consultee for Pre-application Consultation in Wales and proportionate information has been provided through the planning process to ensure adequate site access, emergency strategies and access to water supply are in place.
Air quality
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Emissions from the site are predicted:
To have no significant effect on the levels of fine particles (PM10) within the air quality management area
To have no significant effect on the local ecology
Not to lead to any breaches of any pollution standards at local properties
Additional investigations were undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment to further reduce air quality effects during abnormal site operations such as start up; if the flare is needed; or when back up generators are in use.
Noise and odour considerations
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A. The facility is unlikely to produce any smell. This is because the required chemicals to create sustainable aviation fuel do not contain sulphur or other odorous contaminants.
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A. The facility has been designed to minimise the noise disturbance throughout its operation. There is also a considerable distance between the site and the nearest residential properties.
Local roads and transport
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A. There will be a temporary rise in vehicle movements through the construction period, however, this will not result in a significant increase in delays on local roads. Mitigation measures are proposed, including undertaking modular pre-construction off-site where possible and transporting these modules by barge to the site. Additionally, HGVs will be directed to route via the M4 Junction 38 rather than through Port Talbot.
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A. A total of 57 parking space, including 2 disabled bays, will be provided on site for staff and visitors – with cycle parking also provided, and active travel will be promoted for future employees.
Programme
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A. Subject to planning permission, construction of the facility is due to begin in winter 2024, with the facility beginning production in 2026.
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A. If approved, the facility would begin operation from late 2026. Once operational, the processing facility would be operational 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
What else is proposed?
A second gas fermentation facility will be proposed at a future stage to take the emissions from one or more industrial processes and transform these into ethanol through an innovative gas fermentation technology. This could be used to supply the Alcohol-to-Jet facility with alternative, locally sourced ethanol.
Emissions are first cleaned up and compressed before being bubbled through a solution containing naturally occurring microbes. The microbes feed on the waste gases and produce ethanol. The ethanol is separated and collected and will be supplied to the Alcohol-to-Jet facility. As well as ethanol the process produces a protein rich byproduct and any wastewater will be treated and recycled.
The details of this gas fermentation facility would be progressed through a separate planning application when the location is confirmed.
Image caption: An image to explain how both the initial Alcohol-to-Jet and future gas fermentation facility would work is included on this page. Click to enlarge