Swiss clean-tech company Synhelion has unveiled a $1 billion investment in Morocco for the production of solar fuel and presented the project to Moroccan Investment Minister
Karim Zidane during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Synhelion aims to establish a large-scale facility capable of producing 100,000 tonnes of sustainable synthetic fuel annually using its Sun-to-Liquid technology developed in partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
The process relies on solar fields equipped with mirrors that track the sun and concentrate its rays on a central tower, generating temperatures above 1,000°C.
This intense heat powers a thermal reactor, where methane, carbon dioxide, and water are combined to produce liquid fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel.
According to Gianluca Ambrosetti, CEO and co-founder of Synhelion, Morocco was chosen for its exceptional solar resources, abundant raw materials, and thriving industrial sector.
The project’s funding will come from bank loans, equity sales and potential government
subsidies.
Synhelion already enjoys financial backing from the European Union and key partnerships with Lufthansa, Eni (Italy’s energy giant), and Swiss auto importer Amag.
Looking ahead, Synhelion’s goal is to make solar fuel cost-competitive, targeting a production cost of $1 per litre – a price that would enable it to compete with conventional fuels, especially in aviation.
Ambrosetti emphasised that the technology has been successfully tested, paving the way for global expansion and positioning Morocco as a leader in renewable fuel innovation.
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