Schneider Electric has provided the technology behind European Energy’s Kassø Power-to-X (PtX) plant, a major milestone in producing e-methanol as a commercially viable clean fuel.
The facility is located in Kassø, a small coastal area in southern Denmark on the Jutland peninsula, near the town of Middelfart.
The plant is powered by the adjacent 304 MW Kassø Solar Park, the largest solar installation in the Nordics, and captures biogenic CO₂ from nearby sources to produce up to 42,000 tonnes of e-methanol each year—enough to fuel a commercial airliner nonstop for more than 4,200 hours.
Low-carbon methanol alternatives currently make up only a small portion of global fuel supply. However, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forecasts that demand for e- and biomethanol could reach 500 million tonnes by 2050, particularly for industries that are difficult to electrify, such as chemicals, aviation, and shipping. European Energy and Schneider Electric say the Kassø facility offers a scalable model for meeting that demand.
The plant’s technology stack integrates automation, energy management, and software solutions to optimise production, reduce costs, and enhance safety and reliability. It uses Modicon M580 programmable logic controllers, Altivar Process low-voltage drives, and Trihal transformers, all monitored through AVEVA’s System Platform. This centralised system provides real-time operational visibility and enables secure remote and hybrid operations.
“This project marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward industrial decarbonisation,” said Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric. “By combining automation, energy management, and software into a unified solution, we’re helping European Energy reduce downtime, emissions, and operational costs, while enhancing performance, reliability, and safety.”
The Kassø plant builds on a decade-long partnership between Schneider Electric and European Energy, which began with solar projects and evolved into PtX systems. Implementation was managed by Soft & Teknik A/S, a Schneider Electric Alliance Partner.
Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy, called the project “a breakthrough for the global green fuels industry,” noting that confirmed off-takers include A.P. Moller – Maersk, Novo Nordisk, and the LEGO Group. Locally, the facility provides district heating for 3,300 homes and contributes to grid stability.
