- Synhelion plans a $1 billion investment in a solar fuel plant in Morocco, targeting 100,000 tons of synthetic fuel production annually.
- The plant will use solar energy and Sun-to-Liquid technology to convert methane, CO2, and water into fuels like gasoline and kerosene.
- Key partners include Lufthansa, Eni, and AMAG, to reduce solar fuel production costs to $1 per litre for widespread adoption.
Swiss company Synhelion plans to invest $1 billion to build a solar fuel plant in Morocco. The plant will use advanced solar technology to produce 100,000 tons of synthetic fuel annually, with funding secured through equity and bank loans.
Synhelion, which specialises in synthetic fuels, selected Morocco for this project because of the country’s abundant solar energy, raw materials, and strong industrial network. The investment follows pilot projects in Germany and Spain. Synhelion’s CEO, Gianluca Ambrosetti, shared these details in an interview with Asharq Business. In January, he first presented the project to Morocco’s Minister of Investment, Karim Zidane, during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The plant will rely on Sun-to-Liquid technology, a system developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. This process captures solar rays using mirrors that focus sunlight on a receiver atop a tower. The extreme heat, reaching over 1,000°C, powers a reactor that transforms methane, carbon dioxide, and water into liquid fuels. These solar fuels will replace traditional fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.
Synhelion aims to produce 100,000 tons of synthetic fuel annually from this Moroccan plant. The company will combine bank loans, equity funding, and potential support from European governments to finance the project. Key industrial partners, such as Lufthansa in the aviation industry, Eni in the energy sector, and AMAG in automotive manufacturing, have already joined the venture.
One of Synhelion’s main objectives is to reduce the production cost of its solar fuels to about $1 per litre. Achieving this cost target will make the fuel economically competitive and crucial for widespread adoption in transportation and energy markets.
Synhelion’s investment signifies a significant leap in the company’s efforts to scale up clean fuel production. This aligns with global energy goals to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to more sustainable alternatives.
The plant in Morocco will play a critical role in these efforts, offering a solution to lower emissions while ensuring a steady fuel supply for key industries. Synhelion’s technology provides a cleaner, solar-powered answer to the increasing global energy demand.
Morocco’s involvement in this project reinforces the country’s strategic position in the renewable energy landscape. Its high solar exposure and robust industrial foundation make it the perfect location for large-scale synthetic fuel production.
Industrial giants like Lufthansa and Eni support the project, highlighting its potential impact. By partnering with key players in diverse industries, Synhelion positions itself to drive the future of sustainable fuel.
As Synhelion moves forward, the company sets the stage for the global adoption of solar fuels. By reducing production costs and increasing output, Synhelion aims to make synthetic fuels more accessible and economically viable.
This project could accelerate the shift toward renewable fuels, especially in industries like aviation and transportation, which contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. Synhelion’s investment marks a crucial step in the worldwide transition to clean energy.