Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has delivered the technology stack behind European Energy’s Kassø Power-to-X (PtX) facility, the world’s first commercially viable e-methanol plant.
The company’s future-ready design enhances productivity, efficiency, and reliability while maintaining the highest standards of safety and sustainability, creating a scalable model for accelerating the global green energy transition.
Powered by renewable electricity from the adjacent 304 MW Kassø Solar Park, the largest in the Nordics, the facility captures biogenic CO₂ from nearby sources to produce up to 42,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually. That output is sufficient to power a modern commercial airliner for more than 4,200 nonstop flight hours, equivalent to 175 days in the air.
Although low-carbon methanol currently represents only a small fraction of global supply, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) projects that demand for e- and bio-methanol could reach 500 million tonnes by 2050, as industries race to decarbonise. Scaling commercial e-methanol production is critical for hard-to-electrify sectors such as chemicals, aviation, and shipping, sectors that rely on clean, energy-dense fuels to achieve net-zero targets.
Technology Backbone for Operational Excellence
Schneider Electric’s integrated automation, energy management, and software solutions form the foundation of the Kassø plant’s success. The facility’s technology stack includes the Modicon M580 PLC platform for high-performance automation, built-in cybersecurity, and real-time data intelligence. SIL-certified safety modules and advanced diagnostics ensure resilient, safe operation in demanding industrial environments.
Altivar Process low-voltage drives provide intelligent motor control with built-in energy monitoring and process optimisation, helping reduce energy consumption and extend equipment lifespan. Trihal transformers deliver fire-safe, low-maintenance performance enhanced with IoT-enabled thermal monitoring to prevent overheating and unplanned downtime.
All systems are unified through the AVEVA System Platform, which provides real-time operational visibility and centralised control across multiple sites. Its scalable architecture supports a Unified Operations Center (UOC), enabling faster decision-making, improved operator efficiency, remote management, and streamlined engineering. Schneider’s Cybersecurity by Design approach further ensures secure, compliant, and hybrid-ready operations across European Energy’s global footprint.
“This project marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward industrial decarbonisation,” said Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President, Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric. “By integrating automation, energy management, and software into one cohesive solution, we’re helping European Energy reduce downtime, emissions, and costs — while enhancing performance, reliability, and safety. Together, we’re building a scalable, replicable model that will accelerate the rollout of e-methanol plants worldwide and drive a sustainable energy future.”
A Decade of Collaboration
The Kassø facility builds on a decade-long partnership between Schneider Electric and European Energy, which began with solar infrastructure and evolved into deep collaboration on Power-to-X systems. Project implementation was led by Soft & Teknik A/S, a Schneider Electric Alliance Partner responsible for deploying all automation, energy management, and power distribution systems at the site. The firm also developed the integrated software package that unifies facility operations.
“This isn’t just a milestone for European Energy — it’s a breakthrough for the global green fuels industry,” said Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy. “Our long cooperation with Schneider Electric has made it possible to move quickly from pilot to full-scale commercial production at Kassø. This project will accelerate clean fuel innovation and support the global energy transition.”
Confirmed off-takers of Kassø’s e-methanol include A.P. Moller – Maersk, Novo Nordisk, and the LEGO Group, each adopting the plant’s sustainable feedstock as a fossil fuel alternative. Locally, the facility contributes to district heating for 3,300 homes and supports grid stability, reinforcing its dual impact on both community and global sustainability.
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