Synthetic fuels are a beguiling proposition because they are a fit with existing energy infrastructure while being better for the environment. But the cost remains stubbornly high. Anthony Wright spoke to Wood Mackenzie’s Murray Douglas about progress
The case for hydrogen-based e-fuels, and for synthetic fuels generally, has been strongly made lately, but what’s the true state of play in 2025? Clean aviation fuel and ammonia- and ammonia and methanol powered ships are being pitched as the future of transport decarbonisation, and the potential for e-methane, also known as electric natural gas or e-NG, to add to the gas grid is also being made by the likes of the Dutch-headquartered TES.
Yet there are also challenges as that vision bumps against reality and against the costs involved. In fact, according to Murray Douglas, Head of Hydrogen Research at the analyst and business consulting group Wood Mackenzie, the biggest hurdle isn’t the technology as such, but simply the price tag that attaches.
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