Fear Britain could squander £1.25bn green jet fuel project

A £1.25BILLION jet fuel investment could go overseas if the UK’s largest bioethanol plant is forced to close, ministers have been warned.

- By Dave Higoens

Crisis talks are ongoing to save Vivergo Fuels, near Hull, following the decision to end the 19% tariff on US bioethanol imports as part of the recent UK-US trade deal.

Green hydrogen specialist Meld Energy signed a £1.25bn agreement with Vivergo Fuels earlier this year to anchor a “world class” Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility at Saltend Chemicals Park in Hull.

But Meld Energy founder Chris Smith said: “For projects like ours to succeed and the flow of vital investment to be forthcoming, we need a strong and integrated low-carbon ecosystem.