World’s first X-to-power plant planned for western Denmark

A new facility in Lemvig, Denmark, will convert green ammonia back into electricity—the reverse of a conventional power-to-X plant—according to a report by Danish broadcaster DR.

Lemvig Municipality has approved plans by Skovgaard Energy to expand its existing power-to-X (PtX) plant in Ramme with a complementary X-to-power (XtP) system. The project now enters a four-week public consultation phase for local zoning adjustments.

The XtP plant will burn green ammonia in a test ship engine—housed in a building up to 12 metres tall—to generate electricity for the grid or storage in large batteries. The facility aims to develop and test ammonia-powered engines in collaboration with German firm Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Brian Vad Mathiesen, a professor of sustainability at Aalborg University, called the project “exciting” for its flexibility in matching ammonia production with fluctuating wind and solar output. While acknowledging the higher cost compared to fossil fuels, he noted its potential as a fossil-free alternative.

Bent B. Graversen, chair of Lemvig’s technical and environmental committee, highlighted the municipality’s role in pioneering both PtX and XtP technology. “It can convert ammonia into electricity or serve as marine fuel, producing energy for ships,” he said. “This is the reverse of power-to-X—now we’re doing X-to-power.”