Green fuel platform under way at Le Havre

Part of the Salamandre and France KerEAUzen projects the work includes the development of the Salamandre plant, said to be the world’s first renewable gas production unit based on pyrogasification and methanation technologies for sea transport.

Engie will also launch the study into the feasibility of producing KerEAUzen, a synthetic fuel that could revolutionise air transport which is made from a combination of renewable hydrogen and CO2.

“Salamandre and France KerEAUzen represent an unparalleled response to the need to decarbonise sea and air transport,” said Catherine MacGregor, chief executive of ENGIE.

“These pioneering industrial units will also contribute to HAROPA PORT’s ambition to make Le Havre a benchmark platform for renewable fuels, as part of a circular economy approach that will benefit regional development.”

Engie reports that these projects will address a number of challenges, namely:

• Re-industrialising the region and creating the new industrial sectors of the future
• Helping to achieve decarbonisation targets in hard-to-abate sectors such as sea and air transport
• Contributing to France’s energy goals
• Sustainability of the energy transition, based on existing infrastructures, networks, transport, ports and airports

HAROPA PORT is a conglomeration of three ports in France – Le Havre, Rouen and Paris – to create the Seine Axis Major River and Sea Port. It is the fifth largest port complex in the country.

“We are proud to be working with Engie on two emblematic projects, Salamandre and France KerEAUzen, located in Le Havre, on a strategic turnkey site, helping to make the Seine Valley an exemplary region in terms of reindustrialisation, decarbonisation and ecological transition,” said Stéphane Raison, managing director and chair of HAROPA PORT.