PVTIME – The European energy company Uniper has formally submitted its application for an environmental permit for the planned NorthStar H2 power-to-methanol facility in Östersund, Sweden. If regulatory clearance is granted, the site will produce around 115,000 tonnes of renewable e-methanol each year. This will be generated using locally sourced renewable electricity, including onshore wind power, and captured biogenic carbon dioxide.
Picture:Uniper
This synthetic e-fuel is intended for use in hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as shipping and chemical manufacturing, providing a low-carbon alternative to fossil-derived methanol in Nordic and wider European markets. This permitting milestone brings the project closer to a final investment decision, which is expected in 2028, with the plant’s commissioning provisionally planned for 2031.
The NorthStarH2 project makes use of the region’s substantial renewable power resources and existing industrial infrastructure. Once built, it will help Sweden to achieve its national climate goals while improving Europe’s supply resilience for sustainable e-fuels.
