The John Cockerill and Technip Energies joint venture (JV) will assist with plant definition studies, technical feasibility, and support for permitting for the H4 Marseille Fos project.

“Leveraging our engineering expertise and our standardisation approach, we are committed to advancing this landmark project towards the next development stages, and its final investment decision (FID),” explained Rely’s CEO Damien Eyriés.

While it’s currently in the pre-front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase, the developers plan to utilise 300MW of electrolysers to produce green hydrogen in the future. Up to 75,000 tonnes of e-SAF will be produced once operational in 2030.

A methanol-to-jet (MTJ) fuel production pathway will ensure captured CO2 and green hydrogen are turned into a drop-in jet fuel low-carbon substitute. Therefore, other technology suppliers could be contracted, such as electrolyser providers.

The initiative is backed by the regional government Région Sud, with additional support from Marseille Provence Airport and Vinci Airports, which are aligning with EU decarbonisation goals.

Under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, airlines must incorporate 10% e-SAF into aviation fuels by 2040.

However, while e-SAF is positioned as a practical replacement for jet fuel and a key offtake market for green hydrogen, critics have warned it cannot approach cost parity with fossil-based aviation fuel without significant subsidies.