Computer-aided techno-economical simulations were performed to estimate costs of construction and operation of a MeOH synthesis plant capable of converting 1 kton dry wood/day. Local conditions (conifers or deciduous trees, e.g., willow), alternative solutions involving oxygen-and-steam gasification of straw and municipal sewage sludge were taken into account. Neither wood- nor straw-based syntheses of MeOH, fuel alcohols or motor fuel hydrocarbons were found to be competitive to processes based on natural gas or crude oil residues. Poland's annual consumption of MeOH is 210 ktons.