UK SAF Supply Hits 292 Million Litres, Reaching 87% of 2025 Total
Provisional DfT data shows 2026 SAF volumes nearly match 2025 totals, tracking the 3.734% compliance target as the mandate scales.
Key points
- 291.7 million litres of SAF were reported in the UK for 2026, reaching 87% of the total 2025 volume.
- The 2026 SAF share of 3.92% exceeds the 3.734% compliance obligation set by the UK SAF Mandate.
- Final 2026 data will be published in November 2027, with a second provisional update expected in April 2027.
Suppliers have reported 291.7 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK for the first eight months of 2026, according to provisional figures from the Department for Transport. This volume represents 3.92% of the aviation fuel reported in the current dataset and exceeds the 3.734% compliance obligation set for the year.
The data, released by ADS Advance, indicates that SAF adoption has accelerated significantly. The 2026 reported volume already constitutes approximately 87% of the 337 million litres recorded for the entire 2025 obligation period, demonstrating a rapid increase in market supply as the statutory requirement rises from the 2025 baseline.
Mandate drives supply growth
The UK SAF Mandate, introduced in January 2025, requires suppliers to blend SAF into jet fuel at levels that increase annually. The requirement starts at 2% in 2025, rises to 10% by 2030, and reaches 22% by 2040. The current 2026 obligation is calculated at 3.734% of obligated aviation fuel under the government’s compliance methodology.
Monthly supply figures show volatility, with peaks of 81.6 million litres in the February-to-March period and 61.7 million litres in May-to-June. The August-to-September period remains incomplete in this provisional release, with only 7.7 million litres reported so far, suggesting further volumes may be added as supplier data is finalized.
Compliance tracking remains provisional
The Department for Transport emphasizes that these figures are provisional and subject to change. Suppliers can report fuel after the supply period, and data is cross-checked against HMRC records. The final 2026 dataset will not be published until November 2027, with a second provisional update expected in April 2027.
SAF is now accounted for under its own mandate and certificate system, separate from the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). Suppliers receive SAF Certificates based on greenhouse gas reductions rather than physical volume, linking compliance directly to environmental impact metrics.
Scaling production faces challenges
Meeting the 2030 target of 10% SAF in jet fuel requires a fivefold increase over the 2025 baseline. This expansion depends on scaling production capacity, securing feedstock, and investing in advanced fuel pathways. The government plans to restrict SAF made through the widely available HEFA process in the future, pushing the industry toward more sustainable production methods.
