Ørsted breaks ground at FlagshipONE e-methanol facility

A groundbreaking event has been held by Ørsted in Örnsköldsvik, Northern Sweden, next to the site of FlagshipONE, Europe’s largest e-methanol project. The large-scale methanol production facility will supply the growing number of methanol-powered vessels used within the maritime industry.

At present, a total of 110 e-methanol vessels are on order or already in operation, and this number is expected to continue rising as new regulations – such as those from FuelEU Maritime demanding the use of more sustainable maritime fuels – are implemented.

Once complete and at full capacity, the FlagshipONE site – originally developed by Liquid Wind and located next to Övik Energi’s Hörneborgsverket combined heat and power plant in Örnsköldsvik – is estimated to produce 50,000 tons of e-methanol annually.

The e-methanol will be produced using renewable electricity and biogenic carbon dioxide captured from Hörneborgsverket. Furthermore, FlagshipONE will use steam, process water and cooling water from Hörneborgsverket, in addition to excess heat from the e-methanol production processes being delivered back to Övik Energi and integrated into the company’s district heating supply.

“FlagshipONE is a pioneering project that will open a new era for green shipping and for Ørsted,” explained Anders Nordstrøm, COO of Ørsted P2X. “I’m very pleased that we’ve now started on-site construction together with other green fuel leaders from across the supply chain, and together with representatives from Örnsköldsvik, Västernorrlands län and Sweden at large. FlagshipONE will be the first project in a new green industry in Sweden, which Ørsted intends to spearhead.”

“FlagshipONE will soon become the largest commercial-scale electrofuel facility in Europe and at Liquid Wind we are thrilled that Ørsted is now starting the construction phase of the project,” commented Claes Fredriksson, CEO and founder of Liquid Wind. “FlagshipONE is our first sold project and is just the beginning of our journey to become the leading developer of electrofuel facilities. This milestone will hopefully inspire many others to also contribute to the decarbonization of shipping. Today is a historical day for Sweden as we put the country on the map as a developer and producer of green electrofuel, all with the intent of reducing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.”