COWI: “We need to take action”

Recently published report points to Norway as a possible e-Fuel pioneer

"If we are to achieve the climate goals set for 2030, we need to take action in those transport segments where the transition to electrification is challenging and time-consuming," says Alert Holtman, project director for green fuels at COWI.

The engineering company COWI is working with Norsk e-Fuel and their main engineering partner Paul Wurth on the design of a groundbreaking new factory in Mosjøen, which will produce fossil free e-fuel for aviation. This will be the first facility of this size in Norway and in Europe, and the endeavour is receiving international attention in a new report.

"We are experiencing great support locally, and positive attention internationally. Now I hope that national politicians also see the importance of investing in this type of technology," says Holtman.

Points to Norway as a pioneer country

One recently published European energy report points to Norway as one of four possible pioneering countries in the production of e-fuels, and highlights Norsk e-Fuel’s plans in Mosjøen. The report has been prepared by Transport & Environment (T&E), one of Europe's leading interest organizations for green transport. It delivers a status report on the goals set by the EU in October 2023 with the adoption of ReFuelEU, which includes a strategy to reduce emissions from air transport.

"The production of e-Fuels not only helps us get closer to achieving the climate goals for 2030 but will at same time create a number of jobs. There are different types of fuel that can help achieve these goals, and the Norsk e-Fuel project is an ambitious initiative. As a pioneering project company, it is interesting to see how this technology can contribute to reducing fossil emissions in aviation and the sustainability of this," says Holtman and adds:

"The fact that the report indicates that Norway can take a leading role in this development is very positive. It is now part of the EU's regulations that air transport must reduce its emissions, and we must carefully examine all the possibilities together with the authorities. One can no longer ignore the enormous potential that this new industry offers to us. We need an open debate about the value this type of energy solution creates in a European, Norwegian and local perspective.”

Photo: Alert Holtman, Project director for green fuels at COWI.

Increased interest in solutions with immediate effect

Interest in e-fuels has increased after the EU introduced the ReFuelEU Aviation directive requiring the phase in of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in air transport from 2025, and from 2030 of e-Fuels specifically. Just as other SAF solutions, e-Fuels can be blended into existing aviation fuel, used on existing aircraft fleets and infrastructure, and contribute to emission reductions today.

"There is a lot of talk about both battery-electric and hydrogen-based propulsion in Norway today, but these are solutions that will not be available until 2035 at the earliest. To realize emission cuts in aviation, it is what you put in the tank that will have the greatest effect, and a united EU is now doing what they can to ensure that we get up production of e-Fuels in Europe," says Karl Hauptmeier, CEO of Norsk e-Fuel, and adds:

"The main advantage of the e-Fuel is that it can be produced through renewable energy and used in existing engines and infrastructure without any modifications. This offers crucial advantages over other technologies because it can be deployed immediately, is easier to scale, and is already certifiable for use according to ASTM 7566.”

Will enough e-fuel be produced to meet demand?

As highlighted in the T&E report, despite the increased interest in e-fuels in the market, there is uncertainty about whether enough e-Fuel will be produced to meet this expected demand.

The report maps 45 potential e-Fuel production facilities. Two of these are to be located in Norway, including Norsk e-Fuel's plant in Mosjøen. The plant is scheduled to be ready within a few years, which means that it will be among the world's first industrial production facilities for e-Fuel.

"In this project, we combine the best of international expertise and technological solutions with local knowledge of building practices, regulations and standards. The partnership model with close collaboration and co-creation makes it possible to realise this pioneering project here in Norway," says Holtman of COWI.

The report concludes that Norway, France, Germany and Sweden are leading the way in the development of e-Fuel production, and expects that up to 80 per cent of future production could be done in these four countries.

"E-Fuels will play a central role in the green shift, as long as we manage to produce enough at the right price. It gives Norway a huge competitive advantage to be so early, and I hope the authorities follow up on this by providing the industry with better framework conditions and a clearer commitment, so that we can retain leadership in what could be an industrial adventure," says Holtman.

e-Fuels...

Are made from CO₂ and hydrogen from renewable energy
Can reduce GHG emissions by up to 99% in comparison to fossil fuels
Offer a fossil-free solution for aviation and for other modes of transportation
Offer the opportunity to store and transport surplus power
Require a lot of renewable power and are today still more expensive than fossil alternatives

About Mosjøen

Annual production: 50 million liters, mainly synthetic jet fuel for aircraft
Using renewable electricity from hydropower and wind power in the region
CO₂ is captured from waste incineration plants in collaboration with Carbon Centric
Hydrogen for the factory in Mosjøen will be delivered from Gen2 Energy on the neighboring site
Creates 50-70 direct jobs and contributes to several hundred indirect jobs nationally and internationally
On the investor side, Norsk e-fuel is joined by Paul Wurth, Valinor, Climeworks, lux-Airport, and Norwegian

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For more information, please contact:

Alert Holtman, Project Director Green Fuel at COWI, tel: +47 92523266, e-mail: alhl@cowi.com

Luisa Wagner, Communications & Corporate Development Norsk e-Fuel, tel: +49 151 54210269, e-mail: lwagner@norsk-e-fuel.com