Sustainable aviation fuel is quickly becoming one of the most important technologies in the race to decarbonise transport, and Galetech’s latest partnership shows why. The Irish renewable energy group has signed a technology deal with Dutch company Skytree, positioning itself to develop synthetic fuels that could help airlines, shipping operators and heavy transport cut reliance on fossil kerosene and diesel.
For Ireland’s fast-growing clean-tech sector, the agreement is more than a single corporate milestone. It highlights how renewable power, carbon capture and fuel synthesis are converging to create lower-carbon alternatives for sectors that remain difficult to electrify.
Galetech’s sustainable aviation fuel strategy takes shape
Co Cavan-based Galetech, known for wind, solar and electricity storage projects in Ireland and overseas, had already outlined plans to build an e-fuels business. This new agreement gives the company access to Skytree’s direct air capture systems, which extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for use in fuel production.
That matters because sustainable aviation fuel and other e-fuels require three core inputs:
- Renewable electricity
- Captured carbon dioxide
- Water
Combined through industrial processes, these ingredients can produce synthetic alternatives to conventional fuels such as petrol, diesel and kerosene. Unlike some next-generation propulsion systems that require entirely new infrastructure, these fuels can be used in existing engines, making them especially attractive for aviation and shipping.
Galetech plans to deploy the Dutch technology alongside its renewable energy operations in Ireland and Kenya, strengthening the link between clean power generation and low-carbon fuel production.
Why sustainable aviation fuel matters for hard-to-abate sectors
Electrification works well for many cars, vans and short-distance applications, but aviation, maritime transport and heavy goods vehicles are far harder to convert. Batteries remain heavy, charging infrastructure is uneven, and long-haul routes demand dense, portable energy.
That is where sustainable aviation fuel can play a pivotal role. Because it is designed as a lower-carbon substitute for conventional jet fuel, it offers a practical pathway for airlines trying to reduce emissions without replacing entire fleets overnight.
Key benefits include:
- Compatibility with existing engines – reducing the need for costly fleet replacement.
- Lower lifecycle emissions potential – especially when made using renewable electricity and captured carbon.
- Scalability across sectors – with applications beyond aviation in shipping and freight.
- Support for energy security – by creating domestic or regional fuel supply chains.
As European regulations tighten and pressure grows on transport operators to decarbonise, demand for sustainable aviation fuel is expected to rise sharply.
How Skytree’s carbon capture technology fits in
At the centre of the deal is Skytree’s direct air capture technology, originally developed for the European Space Agency. The system removes carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, turning it into a usable feedstock rather than treating it only as a waste emission.
This is significant for synthetic fuel economics. A major challenge in e-fuel production has been securing a reliable, scalable source of carbon dioxide at a commercially viable cost. By capturing atmospheric CO2 close to renewable generation sites, companies can potentially create a more predictable supply chain.
For Galetech, that could improve the commercial case for sustainable aviation fuel production at future sites, including its planned pilot facility at Edrans wind farm in Cootehill, Co Cavan.
Ireland’s role in the e-fuels transition
Ireland has abundant wind resources and a growing renewable energy base, giving companies like Galetech a natural platform to explore synthetic fuels. The company last year said it intended to build a pilot research and production plant focused on fully renewable alternatives to fossil-based transport fuels.
This latest move suggests Ireland could become more active in the broader e-fuels ecosystem, particularly if policy, grid development and industrial investment align. A stronger domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry could offer several advantages:
- New clean-energy jobs in engineering, research and operations
- Export opportunities in emerging fuel markets
- A value-added use for renewable electricity
- A route to support aviation decarbonisation targets in the EU
Challenges remain, of course. Synthetic fuels are still expensive relative to conventional fossil fuels, and scale-up will depend on technology performance, supportive regulation and infrastructure investment. But the direction of travel is increasingly clear.
What this means for airlines and transport companies
Airlines face growing pressure from regulators, investors and customers to reduce emissions. The European Union is also increasing requirements around the use of cleaner aviation fuels, making long-term access to sustainable aviation fuel strategically important.
For transport and shipping companies, e-fuels could offer a similar bridge solution while zero-emission technologies continue to mature. Businesses that secure access early may be better placed to manage compliance costs, protect margins and meet sustainability commitments.
Galetech’s partnership with Skytree does not solve every challenge overnight, but it is a meaningful step toward building a commercially viable supply chain for synthetic renewable fuels.
Conclusion: a significant step for sustainable aviation fuel in Ireland
Galetech’s deal with Skytree marks an important development for Irish clean technology and the future of sustainable aviation fuel. By combining renewable electricity with direct air capture and synthetic fuel production, the company is targeting one of the toughest decarbonisation problems in global transport. If projects like this can scale successfully, sustainable aviation fuel may move from niche innovation to essential energy infrastructure.
