The Netherlands – Gidara Energy, a Dutch energy company, has recently secured a critical environmental permit for its Advanced Methanol Amsterdam (AMA) facility, a significant step towards the company’s goal of decarbonizing the industry.

The permit, issued by the province of Noord-Holland, will allow Gidara Energy to build an innovative methanol plant that will transform local waste into advanced methanol, an environmentally friendly fuel.

The renewable methanol plant, situated in the Port of Amsterdam, will utilize Gidara Energy’s patented HTW gasification technology to process waste into bio methanol, a versatile fuel that can be used in road transport, maritime transport, and aviation fuel production. This permit is a significant milestone in the facility’s development, allowing for the production of renewable fuels and eventually high-quality circular chemicals.

Evaluation

The process of obtaining the permit involved a thorough review of the project, including an extensive evaluation of its potential environmental impacts, a public consultation process, and a full review of its proposed design and construction plans to ensure that the facility meets all applicable environmental standards. Gidara Energy worked closely with the local authorities and scientific experts to ensure that the facility has minimal environmental impact, is safe for the community, and meets the global demand for advanced methanol and renewable energy.

The Advanced Methanol Amsterdam (AMA) facility is set to be built at BioPark, the primary development site for renewable fuel producers in the Port of Amsterdam. The facility will convert about 360,000 tons of waste into 90,000 tons of renewable methanol annually.

Circular economy

The facility’s impact is significant. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a vital chemical used in many industries, such as the production of plastics, paints, and solvents. Additionally, bio methanol can be used as an alternative to fossil fuel in various transport sectors and produce sustainable aviation fuel. Gidara Energy’s production of bio methanol from waste aligns with the circular economy model, which aims to reduce waste, minimize carbon emissions, and use renewable resources.

Renewable energy

The Netherlands is one of the European Union’s leading countries in renewable energy production, aiming to increase the share of renewables in its total energy consumption to 14% by 2023. The country’s renewable energy production reached 11.1% in 2020, up from 8.8% in 2019. Gidara Energy’s AMA facility is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s renewable energy production targets, as well as the European Union’s broader goals of decarbonizing the industry and promoting a circular economy.