(Örnsköldsvik / Sweden) – Construction of the “FlagshipONE” plant to produce methanol as fuel for ships has begun in Sweden. When it goes into operation in 2025, around 50.000 tons would be produced there annually, which, as a replacement for fossil fuels, would avoid the emission of 100.000 tons of CO2 per year. The location is near the biomass cogeneration plant Hörneborgsverket of the energy supplier Övik Energi in Örnsköldsvik on the east coast of the country. According to the information, it is the “largest e-fuels plant in Europe”.
Mandatory groundbreaking ceremony for the e-methanol plant (from left to right): Anna-Britta Åkerlind, chairwoman of the municipal board in Örnsköldsvik; Claes Fredriksson, founder and managing director of Liquid Wind; Anders Nordstrøm, COO of Ørsted P2X; Kristina Säfsten, Managing Director of Övik Energi; Anna Dahlberg, State Secretary to the Swedish Prime Minister © Ørsted A/S
FlagshipONE was developed by Liquid Wind. In the January Last year, as reported, the Danish energy supplier Ørsted A/S got involved and finally took over the project in December 2022. A 70-megawatt PEM electrolyzer from Siemens Energy will be integrated into the system, which will generate hydrogen using green electricity. This is combined with CO2 to create a carbon-neutral liquid fuel. In addition to politicians, representatives from Siemens Energy, Carbon Clean and Topsoe, which supply the electrolysers and the control system, the systems for carbon capture and methanol synthesis, also took part in the laying of the foundation stone. The operation will also create jobs at local companies in Örnskoldsvik, it is said.
FlagshipONE is “a pioneering project for sustainable shipping,” says Anders Nordstrøm, COO of Ørsted P2X. “With the new e-methanol plant, we have gained an important new industrial customer in the High Coast Innovation Park,” explained Kristina Säfsten, CEO of Övik Energi.
Liquid Wind wants to secure financing for another ten projects by 2026. Investors behind the company include Alfa Laval, Carbon Clean, Elyse, HyCap, Siemens Energy, Topsoe and Uniper.
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Rendering of the planned e-methanol factory in Sweden. © Ørsted A/S
