Orsted abandons flagship e-methanol project
Danish firm takes $220m hit as it halts Europe’s largest project in setback for transition to green shipping fuels
Danish renewable energy company Orsted has halted construction of Europe’s largest synthetic methanol production project, citing the slower-than-expected development of Europe’s green fuels markets. The FlagshipONE project, based at Ornskoldsvik in northern Sweden, had been scheduled to start up in 2025, with initial output of 55,000t/yr of e-methanol produced from electrolytic hydrogen and biogenic CO₂. Orsted’s decision to abandon the project more than a year into its construction has resulted in it booking a DKK1.5bn ($220m) impairment loss. “The liquid e-fuel market in Europe is developing slower than expected, and we have taken the strategic decision to de-prioritise our efforts within
Also in this section
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
6 January 2026
Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector






