Qair to develop e-methonal project at Haropa Port

French renewable energy company Qair has been awarded a parcel on the Haropa Port site, in Le Havre, to develop its e-methanol production project Methavert, with a total investment estimated at around EUR1.6 billion.

The 60-ha site is located in Rogerville, is one of five Haropa Port parcels designated as “France 2030 industrial sites” in May 2024 and benefiting from government support for the implementation of industrial projects.

As disclosed, Methavert aims to establish renewable hydrogen and methanol production within the industrial port area of Le Havre. The facility will initially produce 200,000 tonnes of e-methanol to support the decarbonisation of maritime transport and other high-emission and hard-to-abate industries.

The project will benefit from existing methanol storage facilities and align with the ongoing decarbonisation efforts of nearby industrial sites and port infrastructure, Qair claimed, adding that together with the Haropa Port, the company plans to set up a renewable methanol value transforming the industrial port area and positioning the Port of Le Havre as a “pivotal hub on the green corridors of tomorrow’s maritime transport.”

To note, Livista, a chemical manufacturer from Luxembourg, and US industrial gases supplier Air Products are also among the winners of the Haropa Port’s ‘West A29’ call.

Livista has been awarded for its lithium chemical refinery and Air Products for its NEOM green hydrogen project, which aims to produce renewable hydrogen from renewable ammonia that will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia. This ammonia will be imported by sea in refrigerated form, Haropa Port said, adding that at the Le Havre site, the hydrogen thus produced will be transferred to customers via a pipeline or using dedicated trailers after liquefaction. The creation of a network of refuelling stations is also envisaged.