Global energy company Uniper has awarded front-end engineering design (FEED) contracts valued at more than SEK 100 million ($9.6 million) to advance its NorthStarH2 e-methanol project in Östersund, Sweden.
Contracts were signed with engineering and technology providers AFRY, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy, and Topsoe to deliver basic engineering works over the next 12 months.
The planned facility will utilize renewable electricity and biogenic carbon dioxide to produce approximately 115,000 tons of synthetic, fossil-free e-methanol annually.
The resulting electro-fuel is intended to replace conventional fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors, particularly shipping and chemical manufacturing, helping cut industrial emissions and reduce European dependence on imported fossil energy.
Uniper Sweden CEO Johan Svenningsson stated that entering the FEED stage allows the company to transition from conceptual studies into detailed technical and commercial feasibility assessments ahead of major capital commitments.
Key Suppliers Mobilize Across Electrolysis, Carbon Capture, And Methanol Synthesis
The contracted vendor consortium will provide specialized engineering packages to define the physical plant layout and operational parameters:
- Siemens Energy: Delivering engineering design for high-efficiency, industrial-scale water electrolysis systems to supply green hydrogen.
- Carbon Clean: Providing carbon capture engineering to process biogenic CO2 feedstock.
- Topsoe: Supplying proprietary e-methanol synthesis and purification technology.
- AFRY: Managing overall technical integration and balance-of-plant design to ensure investment readiness.
Project execution plans outline that Uniper will submit its primary environmental permit application in autumn 2026. A final investment decision (FID) for NorthStarH2 is scheduled for 2028, with commercial commissioning expected to commence in 2031.
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