"Investing in the production of sustainable fuels is part of our 2030 strategy and reflects OMV Petrom's commitment to the energy transition and reducing carbon emissions. Sustainable fuels are essential for decarbonizing transport, especially in sectors where electrification is difficult to implement, such as aviation. Between 2022-2030, we will direct 35% of our investment budget to projects that support the energy transition in Romania and the region," said Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom.
"This investment strengthens the Petrobrazi refinery's role in providing the fuels needed for mobility - both today and in the future. The refinery is transforming to accommodate the production of sustainable fuels such as SAF and HVO, while maintaining its long tradition of operational excellence. We are proud to lead the way with the first facility of its kind in the region in which we operate, with the start of this very complex project using new and innovative technologies. This achievement is made possible thanks to our highly skilled colleagues, whose expertise and dedication are essential to our success," said Radu Caprau, OMV Petrom Board Member in charge of Refining and Marketing.
The new facility will allow OMV Petrom to integrate the production of SAF and HVO with the existing fuel production, storage and distribution infrastructure, thus responding to the region's sustainable mobility needs.
The project involves a total investment of €750 million, of which €560 million for the construction of the SAF-HVO unit and €190 million for two green hydrogen production plants.
How SAF and HVO are produced and the impact on emissions
SAF and HVO are sustainable fuels produced by processing renewable raw materials such as waste vegetable oils and animal fats. Through advanced refining processes using green hydrogen, these materials are transformed to have similar characteristics to conventional kerosene and diesel. The use of these fuels allows a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels (e.g. by at least 65% in the case of SAF and HVO).
The flexibility of the new plant allows to adjust the type of feedstocks used (waste oil, animal fats) and the mix of end products (SAF and HVO, as well as bio-diesel and bio-LPG), according to market requirements and feedstock availability.
Complementary investments in low-emission transport
In parallel with the development of the production of sustainable fuels, OMV Petrom is expanding the charging network for electric vehicles, with a target of more than 5,000 points by 2030 in Romania, compared to around 900 currently.
