Energy consortium explores 50,000 mt/year e-methanol plant in Singapore

A consortium of six energy companies could build a 50,000 mt/year e-methanol plant in Singapore, pending the outcome of a feasibility study by the end of 2022, the companies said April 6.

The consortium includes PTT Exploration and Production Public Company, or PTTEP, Air Liquide, YTL PowerSeraya, Oiltanking Asia Pacific, Kenoil Marine Services, and A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the feasibility of establishing a green e-methanol pilot plant in Singapore and running bunkering trials on green e-methanol, the companies announced in a statement April 6.

The proposed plant will use captured biogenic carbon dioxide and green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity to produce e-methanol, making the low carbon fuel commercially accessible for the maritime industry.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore welcomed the formation of the industry partnership, it said in the media release.

Green e-methanol is being considered as one of the candidates for alternate fuel to meet the International Maritime Organization's 2030/2050 goals to reduce global carbon emissions.

As one of the world's premier maritime bunkering hubs, Singapore is an ideal environment to advance the multifuel transition of the global shipping industry, the companies said.

PTTEP is Thailand's national petroleum exploration and production company, Kenoil Marine Services is a Singapore marine fuels supplier, YTL PowerSeraya is a Singapore-based electricity provider, Oiltanking is an independent tank storage providers for gas, chemicals and petroleum products, Air Liquide is an international industrial gas supplier, and A.P. Moller-Maersk is a major container logistics company.