Allied Biofuels goes ahead with $6.1 billion SAF project in Uzbekistan

Allied Biofuels has taken a significant step forward in its Uzbekistan sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project by signing an engineering agreement with Sinopec Engineering Group Co., Ltd. The deal was formalised during the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum and marks progress in what is expected to become one of Central Asia’s largest clean energy ventures.

Under the agreement, Sinopec will carry out front-end engineering design (FEED), detailed engineering, systems integration, and cost estimation. This phase is critical in preparing the project for a future engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract.

Valued at approximately $6.1 billion, the project is poised to be the region’s first large-scale integrated bio-aviation fuel complex. The facility will combine biomass processing, advanced refining technologies, renewable power systems, green hydrogen production, and power-to-liquid fuel technologies within a single platform.

Once operational, the complex is expected to supply SAF and electro-synthetic SAF (e-SAF) to both domestic and global aviation markets, where demand for low-carbon fuel alternatives is rising. The initiative also aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader ambition to emerge as a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel production.

The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in May between Uzbekistan Airports and Allied Biofuels for future SAF supply beginning in 2030, along with the development of supporting infrastructure.

The refinery is projected to produce 160,400 tonnes of SAF, 257,000 tonnes of e-SAF, and 5,040 tonnes of green diesel annually. It will be powered by a 4.45-gigawatt renewable energy system supported by battery storage and green hydrogen, making it one of the most ambitious clean fuel projects in the region.

“This agreement marks a key step in advancing our SAF and e-SAF project in Uzbekistan from development into engineering and execution readiness,” said Alfred Benedict, Managing Director of Allied Biofuels. “Sinopec Engineering Group’s technical capability will help strengthen the project’s delivery pathway as we progress one of Central Asia’s most important clean fuels infrastructure developments.”

Gong Yu, Regional Manager, Sinopec Engineering Group, stated that they would support the project and contribute its engineering expertise to the next phase of development.

Allied Biofuels has also signed deal with India’s Praj Industries for the development of Central Asia’s largest ethanol production facility in Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region.