French Startup Elyse Energy Secures Funding for Green Fuel Projects
Key Ideas
- Elyse Energy, a French startup, raised €120 million to produce green fuels for chemicals, shipping, and aviation.
- The funding will support projects like renewable methanol and biokerosene production, aiming to decarbonize multiple sectors.
- European regulations and incentives are driving the shift towards green fuels. Elyse's projects include e-methanol complexes in France and Spain.
- The company plans to advance its projects with the funding and aims for final investment decisions by late 2025 or early 2026.
Elyse Energy, a French clean-tech startup, secured about €120 million in funding to produce green fuels for various industries such as chemicals, shipping, and aviation. The investment, which includes equity from the Hy24 infrastructure fund and sales of convertible bonds, will help Elyse advance its plans for renewable methanol and biokerosene production. Elyse's projects align with the European Union's push to decarbonize the economy through green fuels, although the higher costs compared to traditional petrochemical production remain a challenge. One of Elyse's key initiatives is the €700 million e-methanol complex in southeast France, combining clean hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide to produce fuel. The company sold convertible bonds to several investors, including Hy24, Bpifrance, Mirova SA, and PGGM NV. The aim is to aid the transition to low-carbon energies like hydrogen, emphasizing the importance of clearer regulations and incentives in Europe.
The funding round will allow Elyse to move forward with its advanced projects and expand its portfolio. Besides the e-methanol complex in France, the company is working on projects in Spain and southern France to produce e-methanol and e-biokerosene. These ventures are expected to reach financial investment decisions by late 2025 or early 2026, with approximately three years earmarked for construction, commissioning, and ramp-up. Elyse's President highlighted the potential risks to the French hydrogen ecosystem if manufacturers and industrial users do not receive adequate support for transitioning to clean hydrogen. Overall, the sentiment in the article is positive, showcasing the commitment of Elyse Energy and its partners to drive sustainable innovation in the energy sector.