Power-to-methanol project developer "Liquid Wind AB" announced in early May that it is submitting an application for an environmental permit for the EFÖvik (eFuel Facility Övik) project to the Land and Environment Court in Umeå, Sweden.
EFÖvik is planned to operate in close industrial synergy with the Övik Energi biomass cogeneration plant, using captured biogenic carbon dioxide (bioCO2) together with renewable hydrogen to produce sustainable e-methanol for sectors where cutting emissions is particularly difficult, including shipping, aviation, road transport and the chemical industry. The integrated facility will supply the local district heating network with heat generated in the eFuel production process, improving the overall efficiency of the system.
The project is located in the "High Coast Innovation Park" cluster, which is advantageous for working with the forestry, energy and processing industries, while its proximity to port and fuel storage terminal infrastructure ensures efficient storage and unloading of liquid fuels. Green electricity, bioCO₂ and the option of sharing utilities are all available at the project site, keeping resources in circulation in a way consistent with the principles of a modern economy.
"Submitting the permit application for the EFÖvik project is a significant step in scaling up eFuel production in Sweden and in Europe. Thanks to close cooperation with local partners and integration with the Övik Energi cogeneration plant, we can deliver locally produced sustainable e-methanol, particularly to sectors where alternatives remain limited and dependence on imported fossil fuels is still high. Our e-fuel can be stored and transported, it is compatible with existing infrastructure and it fosters greater energy independence while reducing reliance on fossil fuels," emphasised Claes Fredriksson, CEO and founder of "Liquid Wind".
The plan is to integrate EFÖvik with the Övik Energi biomass boiler and cogeneration plant, thereby creating a highly efficient energy system built on circular economy principles.
Using renewable energy, the plant will produce green hydrogen by electrolysing water and combine it with 150 000 tonnes of bioCO₂ captured from the cogeneration plant to produce more than 100 000 tonnes of e-methanol a year. By replacing fossil fuels in the transport and industrial sectors, the facility will make a considerable contribution to reducing carbon emissions and will strengthen Sweden's transition to green energy