Chubu Electric Power and JGC Global Launch Feasibility Study for Sorghum-Based SAF Production in Oman
Chubu Electric Power and JGC Global have initiated a feasibility study in Oman to produce SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) from sorghum. With support from JCCP, they plan to evaluate cultivation trials and economic viability of the production process by the end of FY2026, aiming to build a decarbonized fuel model.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 30, 2026 at 22:12 (51h 12m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 30, 2026 at 22:14 (1 min after Collected)
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. and JGC Global Corp., the overseas EPC business arm of JGC Holdings Corp., have been selected for the "Feasibility Study on Bio-Jet Fuel (SAF) Production using Sorghum" under the "FY2026 Business Environment Development Project for Oil/Gas Producing Countries (Industrial Infrastructure Development Support)" publicly offered by JCCP (Japan Cooperation Center for Petroleum, Energy and Sustainable Resources).
The three parties—Chubu Electric Power, JGC Global, and JCCP—have concluded a participation agreement for this project today.
Sorghum, the feedstock under consideration, is a grass crop known for its high heat and drought tolerance. Capable of growing in infertile soil where crops like wheat or corn struggle, it is highly promising for cultivation in high-temperature, arid environments like the Middle East. Furthermore, sorghum has high sugar content, enabling bioethanol production through fermentation, which makes it an attractive sustainable energy resource.
SAF is a jet fuel produced from biomass fuels, waste cooking oil, or municipal waste. It is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 60–80% compared to fossil-based jet fuel, and its adoption is expanding globally as a critical fuel for decarbonizing the aviation sector.
Chubu Electric Power has focused on sorghum's high biomass productivity and has been conducting research on stable biomass fuel procurement and its use for SAF and bioethanol. Through JCCP, they have also established a relationship with OQ, the Oman state-owned oil company.
JGC Global brings extensive experience in large-scale energy, chemical, and infrastructure projects globally, offering comprehensive support from process study to design, procurement, and construction. They will leverage this capability to ensure high-effectiveness studies for the project's future commercialization.
Under JCCP's support, Chubu Electric Power, as the project lead, will work with JGC Global in Oman to carry out cultivation trials and assess SAF production processes and economic viability. The project is scheduled to run until the end of FY2026. Nagoya University will cooperate in evaluating the local applicability of sorghum cultivation.
Both companies aim to integrate their technical expertise to establish a business model spanning sorghum cultivation in arid regions to SAF production and supply chain construction.
The three parties—Chubu Electric Power, JGC Global, and JCCP—have concluded a participation agreement for this project today.
Sorghum, the feedstock under consideration, is a grass crop known for its high heat and drought tolerance. Capable of growing in infertile soil where crops like wheat or corn struggle, it is highly promising for cultivation in high-temperature, arid environments like the Middle East. Furthermore, sorghum has high sugar content, enabling bioethanol production through fermentation, which makes it an attractive sustainable energy resource.
SAF is a jet fuel produced from biomass fuels, waste cooking oil, or municipal waste. It is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 60–80% compared to fossil-based jet fuel, and its adoption is expanding globally as a critical fuel for decarbonizing the aviation sector.
Chubu Electric Power has focused on sorghum's high biomass productivity and has been conducting research on stable biomass fuel procurement and its use for SAF and bioethanol. Through JCCP, they have also established a relationship with OQ, the Oman state-owned oil company.
JGC Global brings extensive experience in large-scale energy, chemical, and infrastructure projects globally, offering comprehensive support from process study to design, procurement, and construction. They will leverage this capability to ensure high-effectiveness studies for the project's future commercialization.
Under JCCP's support, Chubu Electric Power, as the project lead, will work with JGC Global in Oman to carry out cultivation trials and assess SAF production processes and economic viability. The project is scheduled to run until the end of FY2026. Nagoya University will cooperate in evaluating the local applicability of sorghum cultivation.
Both companies aim to integrate their technical expertise to establish a business model spanning sorghum cultivation in arid regions to SAF production and supply chain construction.
FAQ
中部電力と日揮グローバルがオマーンで実施する事業の目的は何ですか？
ソルガムを原料とした持続可能な航空燃料（SAF）の生産事業化に向けた調査です。栽培試験やSAF生産プロセスの経済性評価を実施します。
なぜソルガムがSAFの原料として注目されていますか？
ソルガムは耐高温・耐乾燥性に優れ、痩せた土地でも生育可能です。また、糖度が高くバイオエタノールへの変換に適しているため、持続可能なエネルギー資源として期待されています。
本事業の実施体制はどうなっていますか？
JCCPの支援のもと、代表の中部電力、パートナーの日揮グローバル、およびオマーンのOQ（オマーン国営石油会社）と連携して実施します。また、名古屋大学がソルガム栽培の現地適用性評価に協力します。
本事業の期間はいつまでですか？
本日（記事公開時点）から2026年度末までの予定です。
SAF（持続可能な航空燃料）の導入にはどのような環境メリットがありますか？
化石由来のジェット燃料と比較して、約60～80%のCO2削減効果があるとされ、航空分野の脱炭素化に不可欠とされています。