Power-to-X in Chile, Namibia, and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Cross-Regional Assessment of Costs, Emissions, and Land Use

Decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, shipping, and chemical production
requires carbon-neutral energy carriers beyond direct electrification. Power-to-X (PtX)
processes, which convert renewable electricity into electricity-based hydrogen and hydrogen
derivatives (eFuels), represent a promising solution but face challenges related to high
production costs, renewable electricity intermittency, and system integration. This study
applies an integrated modelling framework combining flowsheet optimization, techno-
economic assessment (TEA), life cycle analysis (LCA), renewable electricity generation
modelling, and multi-objective optimization to evaluate PtX production at three representative
locations: Chile, Saudi Arabia, and Namibia. Location-specific renewable resources, financial
risks, and infrastructure availability are incorporated to assess production costs and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of hydrogen, methanol (MeOH), and Fischer-Tropsch (FT)
fuels. The results demonstrate that hydrogen production exhibits lower costs and emissions
than MeOH and FT fuels, primarily due to its operational flexibility and reduced need for
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auxiliary components. Among the locations, Chile shows a clear advantage with high wind
capacity factors enabling low-cost, low-emission production. Namibia’s mixed renewable
profile offers beneficial trade-offs between costs and emissions, while Saudi Arabia faces
higher emissions reduction costs due to less favourable renewable conditions. The Pareto
analysis highlights the strong dependence of PtX system design on stakeholder preferences
regarding cost-emission trade-offs, while the spatial analysis underscores the significant land-
use requirements for large-scale deployment. The framework can support site-specific and
global assessments of PtX projects, offering valuable insights for planning sustainable fuel
production pathways.