Denmark-headed renewable power provider and Power-to-X (PtX) developer European Energy A/S has disclosed that it has signed an agreement with Brazilian national oil and gas major Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) to evaluate potential opportunities for the installation of an e-methanol production facility in Brazil.
According to a statement, European Energy has agreed to evaluate a potential partnership with Petrobras, a key player in Brazil’s energy sector, to explore commercial opportunities for the development of an e-methanol production facility in Brazil.
The companies’ intention was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following the visit of Petrobras senior management, to European Energy’s headquarters in Søborg, Denmark.
This potential collaborative venture represents a significant stride towards the development of green electro-fuels (eFuels) in Brazil.
Petrobras wants to focus on having good partners like European Energy. Established, reliable companies that are solid enough to work with us on large-scale projects. This partnership will benefit both sides. We can provide our knowledge and help to bring both the companies and our countries closer together, commented Jean-Paul Prates, President of Petrobras.
Leverage experience and expertise
The two parties will assess several development workstreams necessary to evaluate the implementation of an e-methanol facility in Brazil by leveraging their respective competencies.
Workstreams include a holistic assessment of all value chains as well as adherence to the national regulatory framework.
European Energy has been present in Brazil since 2016 with headquarters in Recife, Pernambuco State. The company possesses local in-house expertise across all areas including the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy assets.
European Energy has connected 187 MW of solar PV and wind power to the Brazilian national grid and possesses a development pipeline of 1.5 GW across the country.
European Energy is currently constructing the world’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol facility in Kassø, Denmark. The facility is expected to produce 32,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually in 2024.
Among the current off-takers for the e-methanol are A.P. Moller – Maersk, Novo Nordisk, and the LEGO Group.
With a substantial track record in renewable energy projects, the company also brings the expertise obtained from Denmark’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol facility to this initiative.
We have, in the development and construction phase of our Kassø project, gained invaluable experience and knowledge in the field of producing e-methanol. This agreement with Petrobras – the leading fuel company in Brazil – is a milestone for us to use that know-how in furthering the green transition in the fuel sector in the country, said Emil Vikjær-Andresen, EVP and Head of Power-to-X at European Energy.
