Uniper seeks clearance for 115,000-tonne e-methanol plant in Sweden

Uniper has applied for an environmental permit to build and operate its NorthStarH2 e-methanol plant in Östersund, Sweden. The German energy company filed the application with the Land and Environment Court in Östersund on 6 November 2026. The proposed plant is designed to produce about 115,000 tonnes of e-methanol a year, with shipping among its potential markets. Uniper is targeting a final investment decision in 2028 and plans to begin commissioning in 2031.

What does Uniper’s environmental permit application cover?

Uniper is seeking approval under Chapters 9 and 11 of Sweden’s Environmental Code to build and operate a facility with annual production capacity of up to 130,000 tonnes. That is the ceiling requested in the application. The plant’s current design is based on annual output of about 115,000 tonnes. The court is reviewing the application.

Uniper says the facility falls under Sweden’s industrial emissions rules and the upper tier of its Seveso regulations, which govern the prevention of major chemical accidents and the mitigation of their consequences. Both classifications form part of the regulatory context for the proposed plant.

How will NorthStarH2 produce e-methanol?

NorthStarH2 will use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. The plant will combine that hydrogen with biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) to make e-methanol. Uniper has signed an agreement with regional energy company Jämtkraft to capture CO₂ from its bioenergy plant. NorthStarH2 could reuse about 160,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ a year.

In August 2026, Uniper awarded contracts worth more than 100 million Swedish kronor to AFRY, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy and Topsoe for the project’s next engineering phase. The work is expected to take about a year and covers key stages of production, including electrolysis, carbon capture, methanol synthesis and purification.

What could the project supply to shipping?

Uniper identifies marine fuel as one potential outlet for the plant’s output. The company is also targeting aviation applications and the chemical industry, where e-methanol can replace fossil-derived feedstocks. The permit announcement gave no breakdown of how much output could go to shipping and named no marine fuel buyer or bunkering port. The 115,000-tonne figure is the plant’s total design output across potential markets.

FAQs

Where will Uniper build the NorthStarH2 plant?

The proposed facility is in Östersund, Sweden, near Jämtkraft’s bioenergy plant, which is the planned source of biogenic carbon dioxide.

How much e-methanol will NorthStarH2 produce?

Uniper’s design calls for about 115,000 tonnes a year. The environmental permit application seeks approval for up to 130,000 tonnes a year.

When is NorthStarH2 expected to begin commissioning?

Uniper plans to begin commissioning in 2031, following a final investment decision targeted for 2028. The environmental permit application is under review.