Government-backed aviation fuel project reaches another major milestone for Workington

Shared from Josh MacAlister's press release 20 July 2026, linked here.

Plans to bring a pioneering sustainable aviation fuel production facility to a site near the Port of Workington have taken another significant step forward, as the project moves into the formal pre-planning process.

Carbon Neutral Fuels has signed a Planning Performance Agreement with Cumberland Council, marking the beginning of the next stage towards securing planning permission for Project Starling.

The progress follows the £6 million of Government funding secured for the project last year, which Josh MacAlister MP strongly backed and helped make the case for. That investment has enabled major engineering work to be completed and helped move the project towards becoming a reality.

The latest engineering work has also increased the planned output of the facility to around 31,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel each year. Once operational, the plant is expected to support between 100 and 150 skilled jobs in West Cumbria.

Another important breakthrough has come with the project working through securing a timely grid connection. Josh has been pressing ministers for many months to help overcome delays to securing an electricity grid connection, and the move will allow National Grid and Electricity North West to explore innovative ways of connecting the site sooner.

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Josh MacAlister MP said:

"This is another really encouraging step forward for Project Starling and for the Port of Workington and the town.

"Last year the Government backed this project with £6 million to get it to this stage, and we're now seeing that investment paying off as the project moves into pre-planning and continues to build momentum.

"I've worked closely with Carbon Neutral Fuels and ministers to help remove barriers wherever possible. Securing an earlier grid connection could make a real difference to bringing this investment forward.

"This is exactly the kind of project we want to see in West Cumbria. It will create skilled jobs, attract private investment and strengthen our position as one of Britain's leading clean energy regions.

"There's still work to do before construction can begin, and I'll continue working with Government to help give the project the best possible chance of success."

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Sophie Zienkiewicz, Co-Founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels, said:

"We're delighted to have reached these important milestones for Project Starling. Entering the pre-planning process and completing engineering milestone FEL3A are both significant steps that bring the project closer to delivery.

"The support we've received from Government, Cumberland Council and Josh MacAlister MP has been instrumental in helping us reach this stage. Josh has consistently championed the project, particularly in helping secure Government backing and working with ministers to overcome barriers such as the challenge of obtaining a more timely grid connection.

"Project Starling has the potential to establish one of the UK's leading sustainable aviation fuel production facilities, creating skilled jobs, attracting long-term investment into West Cumbria and supporting the decarbonisation of aviation. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to take the project through planning and towards construction."

Josh continues to raise Project Starling regularly with ministers as the Government reviews the long-term framework for sustainable aviation fuel production, ensuring West Cumbria remains well placed to benefit from future investment.

Project Starling forms part of the growing pipeline of clean energy investment across West Cumbria, alongside plans for new nuclear at Pioneer Park, investment in the Port of Workington and wider regeneration projects that are creating new opportunities across the area.