Liquid Wind and Turun Seudun Energiantuotanto (TSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding as a step towards establishing a 100 thousand tonnes per year e-methanol production plant to be located in the former Neste harbour area.
The facility - for which the final investment decision is expected in 2026, ahead of operations commencing in 2029 - will sit next to TSE's Naantali 4 power plant, which will feed the e-fuel production with 160 thousand of biogenic CO2 and which will, in return, receive process and waste heat for district heating.
"Liquid Wind acts as the main project developer and has started the environmental impact assessment and permitting process. In addition, the parties will jointly explore the possibilities of ensuring a sufficient supply of renewable electricity to produce eMethanol," the project partners detailed in a press release.
"We are very happy to announce the development of our eFuel collaboration project with TSE. By entering this MoU, we are combining our companies' strengths to promote and accelerate the clean energy transition both locally and globally. Locally, in the City of Naantali, we will focus on carbon capture and utilization and the reuse of CO2 and waste heat. Globally, we aim to support the transition by allowing our off-takers to shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon eFuel produced at this facility," Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind, highlighted.
Pertti Sundberg, Managing Director of TSE, and Timo Honkanen, CEO of the Turku Energia Group (a 43.5% stakeholder in TSE), added, "This is an important project for us to achieve the climate goals of our owners and to secure renewable district heating for the Turku region in the future. We are very pleased that TSE is involved in promoting concrete domestic hydrogen economy projects, supporting the creation of future energy systems. This agreement solidifies our cooperation with Liquid Wind and enables the production of renewable fuel in Naantali."
"We are glad to jointly promote this project that aligns with the circular energy economy and resource efficiency principles. Liquid Wind has large-scale project capabilities and is a valuable partner for TSE. This industrial integration also strengthens the position of the Naantali power plant, enabling it to supply new commodities for methanol production while it continues to produce electricity and heat for customers in the Turku region and TSE's investments remain moderate," also commented Mika Lehtonen, Chairman of the TSE Board and Head of Fortum's Heating and Cooling business in Finland (Fortum Power and Heat owns 53.5% of TSE).
Laura Leppänen, Mayor of the City of Naantali (3%), concluded, "This large investment project is an important step in the green transition of the former Neste harbour area which the city is committed to. Responsibility plays an important role in the City's strategy, as does vitality. The Naantali eMethanol production facility fulfills both of our strategic goals."
Photo: TSE