22 Feb 2023

One year on, one year ahead: Frankie Ugboma, CEO

Frankie Ugboma sits at a table

To celebrate Dimeta’s first birthday, Dimeta CEO Frankie Ugboma reflects briefly on the year gone, but most importantly – the year ahead. 

We’ve always been a company of firsts – the first time two major off-grid energy companies have come together to create a renewables-focused joint venture, and the first focused on producing Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME for the first time ever in the UK, indeed the world. 
We’ve also had many achievements during our first year of operation, such as our announcement that Teesside will be the location of our first plant and new partnerships with renewable fuel heavyweights Enerkem and NextChem. 
However, while we’ve had a year of firsts, we’re not a one-hit wonder. So here are some of the top outcomes that we’re on track to achieve by the time Dimeta turns two. 

  

DO NOT EDIT

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

The first molecules

This year we will produce the first molecules of Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME from our demonstrator production plant at the Sustainable Energy Centre in the UK. This will be a massive milestone not just for Dimeta, but for the industry, as this will be the first time DME will be produced in this way, from waste, in the UK. 

Completing financial close of Teesside

We recently passed the milestone of submitting a formal planning application for our first commercial waste-to-DME production plant at Teesside with Circular Fuels, equating to at least £150m of investment. By the time Dimeta turns two, we will have completed the financial close and be in the early stages of construction. 

Progress with our new partnerships

Collaborating with high-calibre partners allows Dimeta to accelerate the scale-up in renewable and recycled carbon DME supply by developing multiple plants in parallel to our existing pipeline, giving access to a wider range of feedstocks and plants at different scales and in different locations. By this time next year, we will have completed the initial phases of work with both Enerkem and NextChem. 

More awareness and recognition of DME

2023 is a critical year for advocacy at Dimeta. The role of renewable liquid gases, including DME, needs to be further recognised by policymakers and the broader energy sector. By the time we celebrate our second birthday, we will have grown our Advocacy & Communications team, invested significantly in reaching key audiences and will see DME begin to be recognised in critical regulations. 

Global blend standards agreed

Within twelve months, we are on track to agree on an initial blend ratio following testing and research spearheaded by the World LPG Association. This has been a huge effort by the LPG Industry and is a milestone to be celebrated, as it ensures the consumer can receive a ‘drop-in’ renewable solution – minimizing disruption and maximizing use of existing infrastructureCrucially ensuring renewable liquid gases are recognised as a credible, low-carbon solution. 

Collaboration

The last thing which will be a big focus is collaboration. None of the above will be possible without it, whether that is working with new and existing partners, collaborating within the team and within the LPG industry, or even with other renewable energies – if we truly want to lead the way on the energy transition. 
So, I, for one, am hugely excited for the next twelve months of Dimeta, and I hope you will join me on this journey. I and the team at Dimeta look forward to working with colleagues, industry and beyond to champion the de-fossilisation of the LPG Industry with Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME and deliver the energy transition together. 
Frankie Ugboma

Frankie Ugboma

Dimeta CEO