European Energy Explores Construction of Green H2 and E-Methanol Plants in Romania
The Danish company European Energy will complete, in 2023, the construction of the world’s largest e-methanol and green hydrogen production facility, which is likely to also be the largest commercial renewable energy factory at a competitive cost. Through the recent evolution of legislation on green fuels (PtX), with an emphasis on green hydrogen, the giants are also targeting Romania for the development of power plants.
Romania seeks to intensify its efforts in the direction of renewable energies, as well as to stimulate investments in green energy. The first step was taken by the Senate, by approving the bill on the integration of hydrogen from renewable sources and with reduced carbon emissions in the industrial and transport sectors, but this must be complemented by massive investments in infrastructure and the creation of feasible and sustainable market conditions for extended green electricity production.
“National economies must achieve climate neutrality not only by improving the energy mix but also by decarbonizing heavy industry and transportation, addressing process differences, and facilitating the expansion of the production and use of green hydrogen and e-methanol. Cost reduction will require a variety of policy decisions, with a predictable and reliable investment climate, a clear and transparent regulatory framework that allows long-term agreements with partners, financial instruments for risk sharing. E-methanol and green hydrogen could become more competitive in terms of prices, compared to the fluctuating quotations of fossil energy, accelerating the transition to the consumption of green fuels, in heavy industry and transport, thus contributing to the creation of a sustainable market for green hydrogen and e-methanol in Romania,” said Ioannis Kalapodas, Head of the Bucharest Office, European Energy.
European Energy, a company with experience in developing renewable energy projects in Europe, recognizes the importance of cross-sector cooperation in achieving the proposed objectives and supports the idea of developing ‘energy islands’ that ensure efficient production of green energy and meet the specific needs of local communities. It also sees a more active involvement of Romania in international alliances that promote collaboration in the field of renewable energy and advanced technologies, such as the ‘Three Seas Hydrogen Council.’
The company is behind five announced projects in Denmark and is pursuing the development of PtX facilities in many markets where it operates, including the USA, Brazil, and Australia. By the end of 2023, European Energy plans to supply green hydrogen to the Esbjerg port in Denmark, from a wind farm with a capacity of 12 MW, representing a tangible example of renewable energy development in a sustainable manner with significant impact. Green e-methanol could play a more important role in decarbonizing certain sectors where options are currently limited, especially as a raw material in the chemical industry or as fuel in road or maritime transport.
This year, European Energy will also complete the construction of the world’s largest e-methanol and green hydrogen production facility, using electricity from the Kassø solar park in Denmark, with a capacity of 300 MW. Additionally, excess heat resulting from hydrogen production will be used to heat over 2,000 households in the area. Power-to-X projects will enable the decarbonization of heavy fuel and plastic industries, this potential being also underlined by supply agreements with the world’s largest toy company, LEGO Group, the leader in the healthcare field, Novo Nordisk A/S, and the largest shipping company in the world, Maersk. Recently, as a major step in the decarbonization of the aviation sector, Metafuels AG of Switzerland and European Energy A/S announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development and implementation of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Denmark, using Metafuels’ proprietary process, aerobrew.
About European Energy
Founded in 2004 in Copenhagen, European Energy is at the forefront of developers and constructors of renewable energy projects worldwide. With an impressive portfolio of over 1GW of renewable energy projects and 23 offices in 18 countries, European Energy has major investments in solar parks, wind, and Power to X technology, plus investments in CO2 capture, and since 2021 the company successfully develops renewable energy projects in Romania.
