Back to the future: renewable ammonia for fertilizers in Uzbekistan

In our January episode of Project Features, we explored a now-operational renewable ammonia project in Uzbekistan, the historical use of water electrolysis for hydrogen, ammonia and fertilizer production, and future plans in the Central Asian nation. Bakhtiyor Sultankhodjaev (Deputy Head of Department, State Unitary Enterprise – Center for Comprehensive Examination of Projects and Import Contracts) was joined in conversation by AEA Technology Manager Kevin Rouwenhorst. The recording is available on our website, and you can also download the speaker slides here.

Current fertilizer industry in Uzbekistan

Click to enlarge. Current fertilizer plants in Uzbekistan. From Bakhtiyor Sultankhodjaev, Prospects For The Introduction Of Green Ammonia Technology In Uzbekistan (Jan 2026).

Uzbekistan’s existing ammonia and fertilizer industry produces a combined 1.9 million tons of ammonia each year across three plants (Chirchiq, Fergana, and Navoi), overseen by state-owned company Uzkimyosanoat. In total, 3.5 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers are produced from these plants. Another fertilizer plant (Karakulkimyo JSC) is under construction, with an ammonia production capacity of 495,000 tons per year. Next to nitrogen (N) fertilizer production such as urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate, Uzbekistan has significant potassium (K) and phosphate (P) rock deposits, allowing for NPK fertilizer production.

Historical and current electrolysis capacity

Current ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer production in Uzbekistan relies almost exclusively on natural gas, which became readily available in the 1960s. Prior to this, Uzbekistan was the first country in Central Asia with an ammonia plant in 1940, based on hydrogen produced via water electrolysis coupled to hydroelectric power. The Chirchiq electrolyzer plant kept operating after natural gas became abundantly available, with electrolytic hydrogen used in industries other than ammonia production (e.g. refining and aerospace). The electrolyzer was closed after the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, after which ammonia was produced exclusively from gas.

Click to enlarge. The ACWA Power UKS Green H2 Project in Chirchiq. From Bakhtiyor Sultankhodjaev, Prospects For The Introduction Of Green Ammonia Technology In Uzbekistan (Jan 2026).

In recent years, significant renewable electricity capacity has been deployed in Uzbekistan. From zero in 2021, 10.5 GWh were produced in 2025, primarily wind and solar energy. Wind electricity was identified as a potential source for renewable hydrogen production via water electrolysis several years ago, and “ACWA Power UKS Green H2” was formed as a joint venture between ACWA Power (80%) and Uzkimyosanoat (20%). ACWA Power developed the 20 MW electrolysis system in Chirchiq, for 3,000 tons per year of renewable hydrogen production from 52 MW of wind. PowerChina was the EPC contractor for the project, with LONGi supplying the electrolyzers. The total project investment is estimated to cost $88 million, $55 million of which is a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In July 2025, Uzbekistan produced its first molecules of renewable ammonia. The electrolytic hydrogen produced at Chirciq is utilized by Uzkimyosanoat for almost 17,000 tons per year of renewable ammonia (and subsequently renewable fertilizer) production.

Currently, certification is carried out by TÜV SÜD, in accordance with CMS 70 standards. These “green certificates” allow for compliance of renewable fertilizers with CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) regulations in the European Union, allowing renewable fertilizers to be exported to Europe from Uzbekistan.

Future plans

Click to enlarge. Green energy in Uzbekistan. From Bakhtiyor Sultankhodjaev, Prospects For The Introduction Of Green Ammonia Technology In Uzbekistan (Jan 2026).

In addition to the 10.5 GWh of wind and solar energy generated in 2025, around 9GWh were generated by hydropower (22% of the country’s total). President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set the 2030 target for the share of renewable electricity at 54%. A larger renewable ammonia project is considered by ACWA Power in the Navoi region, with a capacity of 200,000 tons of ammonia per year (and subsequently fertilizers), powered by 750 MW of solar and wind.

As Uzbekistan is landlocked, ammonia export is costly, and it makes more sense to convert the ammonia into fertilizers. Moreover, the country has a correspondingly high human resource (i.e. agricultural and food requirements), plus a high manufacturing potential for the production of mineral fertilizers, making the development of ammonia & derivatives production projects particularly profitable. Various power supply configurations and hydrogen storage options are being considered to meet RFNBO requirements in the European Union. Regulatory clarity will be required for this project to proceed.

Decarbonization of existing gas-based ammonia capacity via carbon capture and storage is technically possible, but is not currently considered. The reason is that essentially all concentrated process CO₂ from gas-based ammonia production is utilized for urea production, and depleted gas fields are located near/cross borders with neighboring countries.

Additional renewable hydrogen projects in Uzbekistan are expected after the 200,000 tons renewable ammonia project materializes. Electrolysis capacity may be installed near the existing ammonia plants in Uzbekistan, for hybrid gas-based and electrolytic hydrogen production (similar to that which operated in Chirciq for half a century), which may simplify operations with variable hydrogen from renewables. Notably, one of the two ammonia plants in Chirchiq has a setup with a separate air separation unit for nitrogen purification, in addition to gas-based hydrogen production, simplifying replacement of gas-based hydrogen with electrolytic hydrogen. This can serve as a stepping stone for fully decarbonizing the nitrogen fertilizer industry in Uzbekistan.