European eFuel Innovation: Liquid Wind Invests €3.6 Million in Swedish eMethanol Facility

Liquid Wind, a Gothenburg-based energy innovator, is moving forward with its next-generation eFuel production facility, securing €3.6 million in support from the Swedish Energy Agency’s Industriklivet programme. This funding will be used for pre-engineering for what is expected to be one of Europe’s largest eMethanol plants, located in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.

The grant was awarded as part of the EU-backed Recovery and Resilience Facility, with Industriklivet aimed at accelerating Sweden’s green industrial transformation. The project aligns with national emissions reduction goals and has the potential to enable significant fossil fuel substitution in sectors such as maritime shipping, aviation, and the chemical industry.

CEO and founder of Liquid Wind, Claes Fredriksson, expressed gratitude for the support, stating that it not only accelerates the transition to fossil-free eFuel production in Sweden but also sends a strong message to international investors and offtakers. The vision is to scale local and resilient eFuel solutions in Europe.

Liquid Wind, founded in 2017, is establishing itself as a leader in the European eFuel landscape. The company focuses on developing commercial-scale facilities that produce green methanol, a synthetic fuel created from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide. Unlike traditional fuels, eMethanol offers a carbon-neutral alternative crucial for decarbonizing sectors that are challenging to electrify.

The Örnsköldsvik project will be the startup’s second facility and is expected to double the production capacity of its predecessor. It aims to produce approximately 100,000 tons of eMethanol annually by combining green hydrogen generated from renewable electricity with biogenic CO₂ captured from a local bio-powered combined heat and power plant. This process could displace around 200,000 tons of CO₂e emissions each year.

The integration of the site with Övik Energi, a regional utility and long-term partner of Liquid Wind, demonstrates a circular and collaborative energy system. This integration not only enhances resource efficiency but also establishes a resilient local supply chain for sustainable fuel.

The Örnsköldsvik plant is expected to serve as a blueprint for scaling similar facilities across Europe. With the green methanol market projected to grow significantly, Liquid Wind’s eFuel model offers a replicable path to greener fuels at scale. The European Union’s ambitious climate targets align with this vision, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.