Liquid Wind, a pioneer in the production of clean eFuel solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Turun Seudun Energiantuotanto Oy (TSE) to establish a state-of-the-art eFuel facility in Naantali, Finland. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the launch of a highly anticipated collaboration that will significantly advance Finland’s green energy transition.
Transforming Finland’s Green Hydrogen Landscape
The new eFuel facility will be a critical addition to Finland’s energy landscape, supporting the country’s ambitious climate and sustainability goals. Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing 100,000 tons per year of eMethanol, a versatile and sustainable fuel derived from green hydrogen and biogenic CO2 emissions. This is expected to reduce Finland’s reliance on fossil fuels, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation, while contributing to significant CO2 emissions reductions.
The eFuel plant will be strategically located adjacent to TSE’s Naantali 4 power plant, which will provide biogenic CO2 and steam required for eMethanol production. Moreover, the collaboration will leverage the process and waste heat from Liquid Wind’s facility to generate district heating, further reducing the carbon footprint by decreasing the reliance on traditional incineration-based district heat production.
The facility will utilize Finland’s existing and large-scale infrastructure, optimizing resources to contribute to both local and global decarbonization efforts. The project is expected to create an essential foundation for a sustainable hydrogen economy in the region.
Timeline and Key Milestones
With a focus on future sustainability, the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the eFuel facility is planned for 2026, and the plant is expected to commence operations in 2029. Once completed, the facility will play a pivotal role in Finland’s strategy for cleaner energy while helping to meet the growing demand for low-carbon fuels globally.
Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind, expressed excitement about the project:
“We are very happy to announce the development of our eFuel collaboration project with TSE. By entering this MoU, we are combining our companies’ strengths to promote and accelerate the clean energy transition both locally and globally. Locally, in the city of Naantali, we will focus on carbon capture and utilization (CCU) and the reuse of CO2 and waste heat. Globally, we aim to support the transition by allowing our off-takers to shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon eFuel produced at this facility.”
Strengthening Regional Sustainability Goals
The partnership with TSE is a key step in achieving regional climate goals and securing renewable district heating for the Turku region in the future. Pertti Sundberg, Managing Director of TSE, highlighted the importance of this collaboration:
“This is an important project for us to achieve the climate goals of our owners and to secure renewable district heating for the Turku region in the future. We are very pleased that TSE is involved in promoting concrete domestic hydrogen economy projects, supporting the creation of future energy systems. This agreement solidifies our cooperation with Liquid Wind and enables the production of renewable fuel in Naantali.”
The involvement of Turku Energia, which holds a 43.5% stake in TSE, strengthens the project’s long-term viability. Mika Lehtonen, Chairman of the TSE Board and Head of Fortum’s Heating and Cooling business in Finland, emphasized the project’s alignment with circular energy economy principles:
“We are glad to jointly promote this project that aligns with the circular energy economy and resource efficiency principles. Liquid Wind has large-scale project capabilities and is a valuable partner for TSE. This industrial integration also strengthens the position of the Naantali power plant, enabling it to supply new commodities for methanol production while it continues to produce electricity and heat for customers in the Turku region.”
Local Community and Strategic Impact
The Mayor of Naantali, Laura Leppänen, also weighed in on the significance of this large investment project for the local community:
“This large investment project is an important step in the green transition of the former Neste harbor area, which the city is committed to. Responsibility plays an important role in the city’s strategy, as does vitality. The Naantali eMethanol production facility fulfills both of our strategic goals.”
The MoU between Liquid Wind and TSE represents a significant milestone in the green energy transition in Finland, showcasing the power of collaborative efforts to advance the hydrogen economy. With the Naantali eMethanol production facility at the forefront, this project not only promises to provide a cleaner fuel alternative for the shipping and aviation industries but also strengthens the region’s commitment to sustainable and circular energy practices.
For the bunkering industry, the implications of this partnership are profound. As demand for eMethanol grows, particularly for maritime applications, this facility positions Finland as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable fuels. It reflects the growing trend of using green hydrogen and biogenic CO2 to develop cleaner, more efficient fuels capable of decarbonizing some of the hardest-to-abate sectors. The successful implementation of this project could serve as a model for similar collaborations in other regions, further accelerating the transition to low-carbon energy solutions across the globe.
About Liquid Wind
Liquid Wind is a leading developer of eFuel production facilities designed to reduce the world’s dependency on fossil fuels. By combining biogenic CO₂ and renewable energy, Liquid Wind produces eMethanol, a low-carbon alternative for maritime and other industries. With a goal of establishing 10 projects by 2027 and 500 by 2050, Liquid Wind is at the forefront of maritime decarbonization.
Source Liquid Wind