New, restricted climate requirements for the construction industry will come into effect on July 1, 2025 in Denmark. The requirements are intended to help reduce CO2 emissions on construction sites. Fossil-fueled machinery is a significant part of the problem, and many contractors and builders are looking for alternatives. A generator powered by methanol has attracted interest and is now available on the market.
As from July 1st, according to new requirements, CO2 emissions on construction sites must not exceed 1.5 kg CO2 per square meter per year. The limit values will be further tightened in 2027 and 2029. The new climate requirements from Danish legislations forces contractors, builders and equipment rental companies to consider the replacement of existing machines with greener solutions in the future.
A generator that reduces CO2 emissions, does not emit harmful particles and reduces noise levels is in the spotlight of stakeholders on construction sites. If the generator needs no re-charging instead operates without access to the power grid, it brings about an additional advantage – for example, in temporary installations where power is not yet available. And for that reason, a recently launched generator powered by fuel cells and methanol is attracting positive interest from the industry.
Demonstration tests prove well
The generator has already been tested and at a construction site in Nørresundby in North Jutland, where a health house has been built. Here, the experiences with the new type of generator have been positive, says project manager Christian Bundgaard Nielsen from the construction company HP Byg.
The generator has removed noise from the construction site. This means for us working in the environment that we have been able to talk to each other in everyday life. And that is good for both the working environment and for safety. There have been no technical challenges with it – and that is important, because on a construction site there can be a barrier to trying out something new. But the green generator has just fallen into everyday life without making a fuss – apart from delivering green energy, he says.
Construction sites demand emission-free machines
Being one of the leading providers of rented equipment for construction sites in Denmark, Loxam offers the green generator. And at a price that is competitive with diesel generators.
We have been waiting for this kind of solution for many years. Customers have long asked for emission-free and noise-free machines that are easy and reliable to handle logistically. A plug-and-play methanol-powered generator in several sizes is good to have on the shelves, says Jan Laursen, Branch Manager at Loxam.
Inspiration from Norway
The Confederation of Danish Industry has actively participated in the work to make construction sites less environmentally damaging.
At DI Byggeri we actively support our members in working for the spread of emission-free construction machinery to construction sites. Among other things, we have established a network for emission-free construction sites, where there is an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences across the value chain, says Frederik Krogsøe, Senior Chief Consultant at DI Byggeri.
DI Byggeri has looked to neighboring country Norway for inspiration. In Norway, they have been working towards emission-free construction sites for a number of years. And Oslo has introduced requirements for 100% emission-free construction machinery on municipal construction projects from already January 2025.
In Denmark, 14 of the country’s largest public constructors have signed a declaration of intent back in November 2023 stating that in future they will require contractors to use emission-free work machines in construction projects.
Methanol as a fuel
Methanol can be produced from biogas or alternatively from hydrogen produced from green electricity and combined with captured CO2 from biogas plants. The methanol is fed to fuel cells in the generator, which then produce electricity.
The green generator and its background
In 2024, a smaller methanol-powered generator was tested on construction sites and at festivals with good results. A new, larger version was launched in May 2025. It is mobile, flexible and quiet (45 dB(A)), has an output of 55 kVA and can be connected with up to 10 units (550 kVA).
The development of the green generator in modular sizes will take place until 2026 as part of a project that is part of CO2Vision. The project is being developed with support from EU funds via the Danish Business Development Agency and has as project partners Electro Gruppen, Aalborg Events, University College Nordjylland, Whitecell Systems ApS, Energy Cluster Denmark and Hydrogen Valley.
