European Energy Awarded EU Grant for Green Methanol Production

European Energy has been granted over €50 million by the EU Commission under the EU Innovation Fund for the development of a new green methanol production facility in Denmark, according to the several media reports. This substantial funding will support the construction of the large-scale facility, with the grant agreement expected to be signed in early 2025. Emil Vikjær-Andresen, European Energy’s Executive Vice President and Head of Power-to-X, expressed gratitude for the EU’s support, describing the grant as a key component in advancing the scale and efficiency of green methanol production across Europe.

European Energy’s vision for this project is ambitious. According to Vikjær-Andresen, the company aims to reduce the cost and increase the scale of green methanol production to support Europe’s green transition goals. "Our firm target is to increase size and reduce cost while improving efficiency, as this is required to drive down the cost of the green transition. We thank the EU’s Innovation Fund for supporting us in this challenge and look forward to bringing the project into construction and operation," he stated. The facility’s design aligns with European Energy's broader Power-to-X strategy, which emphasizes developing and implementing sustainable energy solutions.

Once operational, this new facility is anticipated to produce over 100,000 tonnes of green methanol annually. This output represents a significant capacity leap, surpassing the company’s initial green methanol plant in Kassø, Denmark, which has a current capacity of approximately 32,000 tonnes per year and is presently being commissioned. The scale-up underscores European Energy's capability to expand green methanol production in alignment with increasing global demand for cleaner energy alternatives. Importantly, this new facility will help cut CO2 emissions by 150,000 tonnes annually, marking a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.

Construction of the new facility is slated to begin in 2026, with an operational launch projected for 2028 or 2029. The project is designed to leverage European Energy’s extensive experience from the Kassø facility, employing lessons learned to enhance production efficiency and scalability. This approach supports European Energy’s commitment to continuous innovation within the sustainable energy sector, as the company targets cost reductions and operational improvements.

This grant from the EU Innovation Fund, however, remains subject to final negotiations. The fund was created to support groundbreaking projects that advance the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy, and the backing for European Energy’s green methanol plant reflects the strategic importance of developing large-scale renewable energy facilities. European Energy’s efforts in Denmark are expected to make a substantial contribution to the EU’s climate objectives, further positioning the company as a leader in the development of Power-to-X technology and green fuel solutions in Europe.

Through this initiative, European Energy not only reinforces its commitment to sustainable energy solutions but also addresses the critical need for decarbonizing Europe’s energy sector. The success of this green methanol facility will likely pave the way for similar projects across Europe, making green methanol a key component of future renewable fuel strategies.