Ørsted breaks ground on Europe’s largest e-methanol project

On May 24 2023, Transform to Net Zero member Ørsted broke ground on Europe’s largest e-methanol project, FlagshipONE at Örnsköldsvik in Northern Sweden. The groundbreaking marks the first steps in a new era of green shipping, where large-scale methanol production facilities will supply a constantly growing fleet of methanol-powered vessels.

From 2025, FlagshipONE will produce 50,000 tonnes of e-methanol yearly. Currently, over 110 e-methanol vessels have been ordered or are in operation, up from 80 vessels at the end of 2022. In addition, new regulation such as Fuel EU Maritime is also increasing the demand for new, green maritime fuels.

The e-methanol will be produced with hydrogen made using renewable energy, and carbon captured from Övik Energi’s biomass-fired combined heat and power plant, Hörneborgsverket, located next to FlagshipONE. Excess heat from the e-methanol production will be delivered back to Övik Energi and integrated in their district heating supply.

Read the full announcement here.