Qatari-based Green Sky Capital is planning a $239 million sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility at Morocco’s Nador West Med complex, with a proposed annual production capacity of 176,000–200,000 tonnes of SAF alongside renewable diesel, renewable naphtha and bio-propane.
The project is expected to process approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste-derived feedstocks annually using Axens’ Vegan HEFA technology. Planned inputs include used cooking oil, animal fats and by-products from food processing, positioning the facility to convert waste-based materials into lower-carbon aviation and road transport fuels.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering $105 million in senior secured financing for the development. This could include a potential $20 million contribution from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The financing remains under consideration, rather than confirmed funding.
Construction is expected to take 22 months, with operations scheduled to begin in August 2028. The project could support up to 400 jobs during construction and approximately 162 positions once the facility is operational.
Morocco SAF Project Targets Multiple Renewable Fuel Markets
The proposed plant would produce several fuel products from a common waste-based feedstock stream. SAF would be the principal product, while renewable diesel, renewable naphtha and bio-propane would provide additional output streams.
The planned annual SAF capacity of 176,000–200,000 tonnes represents the project’s stated production range. The final output mix and the volumes allocated to each co-product have not been specified in the supplied project information.
The facility is planned for the Nador West Med complex in northeastern Morocco, linking the proposed production infrastructure to a major industrial and port development area.
Axens Technology to Process Waste-Based Feedstocks
The project is expected to use Vegan HEFA technology from Axens, a process based on the hydroprocessing of fats, oils and other suitable lipid-based feedstocks.
The proposed inputs include used cooking oil, animal fats and food-processing by-products, which can be converted into renewable fuel components through processing and upgrading. The suitability of individual feedstocks, their availability and their treatment requirements will influence plant operations and production economics.
Waste-based feedstocks can help reduce reliance on purpose-grown oil crops, but their supply is not unlimited. Securing consistent volumes that meet technical specifications and sustainability requirements will be important for a facility of this scale.
EBRD Considers $105 Million in Project Financing
The EBRD is considering $105 million in senior secured financing for the project, including a potential $20 million contribution from the Green Climate Fund.
If finalised on the proposed terms, this financing could provide a substantial portion of the capital required for the $239 million development. However, the funding proposal should not be treated as a completed financial close, and the supplied information does not establish whether the remaining capital has been committed.
The proposed investment places project financing alongside feedstock procurement, technology implementation and construction as key factors in determining whether the plant can meet its planned commissioning schedule.
Construction Schedule and Employment Potential
Construction is expected to last 22 months, with the facility targeting a start-up in August 2028. The project could generate employment for up to 400 workers during construction, followed by approximately 162 jobs during operations.
Meeting the planned start-up date will depend on factors including financing completion, engineering and construction progress, equipment delivery and the commissioning of processing systems. Feedstock supply arrangements and compliance with applicable fuel-quality and sustainability requirements will also be important to the facility’s operational readiness.
The employment estimates indicate that the development could create both temporary construction work and longer-term industrial roles. The actual number of jobs will depend on the final project design and operating requirements.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
Green Sky Capital’s proposed Moroccan facility illustrates how waste-based feedstocks could support the development of a multi-product renewable fuels industry, with SAF as the main output. Producing several fuels from one processing complex could provide opportunities to diversify revenue, although the commercial value of each product will depend on market demand, production costs and the final output mix.
Feedstock security will be a central commercial consideration. A plant targeting up to 200,000 tonnes of SAF annually and processing approximately 200,000 tonnes of feedstocks would require a carefully defined mass balance.
Financing is another key milestone. The EBRD’s consideration of $105 million, including a potential Green Climate Fund contribution of $20 million, indicates that development finance is being explored. Until financing is approved and committed, however, the proposed funding structure should be treated as provisional.
The next milestones to watch are the completion of project financing, confirmation of feedstock supply, construction progress and the finalisation of product sales arrangements. These will provide a clearer indication of whether the proposed facility can reach its targeted August 2028 start-up.
