Proposed South African e-methanol plant targets bunkering

South African project developer Green eFuels Producers (GeFP) plans to build a 14,300 mt/year e-methanol plant in the Vaal Special Economic Zone in Gauteng Province.

IMAGE: The X-Press Feeders-owned methanol dual-fuel containership Eco Levant. X-Press Feeders

The plant will use around 90,000 mt/year of municipal sewage sludge sourced from the Sebokeng wastewater treatment facility to produce e-methanol.

“Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants is an untapped carbon source in South Africa,” a report by the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme said.

The report explains that the sewage sludge will be treated and broken down to release biogenic CO2 and wastewater. The captured biogenic CO2 will then be used as a feedstock for e-methanol production.

The CO2 will be combined with green hydrogen produced onsite using renewable electricity generated from nearby solar and wind power plants.

GeFP plans to supply the fuel to the shipping, road transport and chemical sectors.

Climate-focused fund manager Climate Investor Three has pledged around $4 million to the project. A final investment decision is expected next year, with commercial operations targeted for 2029.

By Konica Bhatt

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