In the United States (US), international electro-fuels developer ETFuels has announced the start of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for its flagship Rattlesnake Gap e-methanol project in West Texas - marking a major step toward the commercial-scale production of e-fuels for global shipping and aviation markets. Once completed, the project will be the largest e-methanol plant in the country.
Since its formation less than three years ago, ETFuels has built a global portfolio spanning the US, UK, Spain, and Finland – together representing over 2.5 GW of renewables and a clear pathway to deliver EU Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) compliant projects at pace.
Texas: the global e-Fuels Epicentre
Located in the energy capital of the world, Rattlesnake Gap exemplifies, the company says, why Texas offers an unparalleled environment to build e-fuel projects.
The state combines phenomenal renewable energy resources, a world-class industrial supply chain, and a pro-business culture. These advantages, unmatched anywhere else, enable ETFuels to deliver e-fuels at unprecedented speed and scale.
Texas is on track to become the world leader in e-fuels production, so it made perfect sense for ETFuels to build our first project here. Rattlesnake Gap is one of an elite few e-fuels projects worldwide to have reached this advanced stage of development – and the first to pioneer a fully integrated behind-the-meter model at commercial scale, reinforcing Texas’s position as a true energy innovator, said Lara Naqushbandi, CEO of ETFuels.
World-class partners
The FEED is being performed by S&B Engineers and Constructors, headquartered in Houston. The project is being designed with the most experienced supply-chain partners in the industry.
John Cockerill is providing electrolyzer technology from its Baytown, Texas, plant. The project will also utilize Johnson Matthey eMERALD technology to create methanol.
Regulation driving demand
Rattlesnake Gap directly responds to growing demand for clean fuels, in particular, Europe’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, as well as the introduction of e-SAF mandates under UK and EU law.
ETFuels’ production will serve both aviation and shipping markets, establishing Texas as a key transatlantic hub for next-generation e-fuel supply.
