COP27: Egyptian production projects

By Julian Atchison on November 30, 2022

“Egypt Green” commissioned

The Egypt Green renewable hydrogen facility in Ain Sokhna, which will produce & supply hydrogen feedstock for two of Fertiglobe/OCI’s nearby ammonia production plants. Source: Scatec.
Click to learn more. The Egypt Green renewable hydrogen facility in Ain Sokhna, which will produce & supply hydrogen feedstock for two of Fertiglobe/OCI’s nearby ammonia production plants. Source: Scatec.

Fertiglobe, Scatec, Orascom Construction and The Sovereign Fund of Egypt have announced the commissioning of Africa’s first integrated renewable hydrogen facility: “Egypt Green”. FID is due next year, with PEM electrolysers currently being trialed at the site. In the first phase of Egypt Green, 100 MW of electrolysers will be powered by 260 MW of solar & wind hybrid generation, delivering 15,000 tonnes per year of renewable hydrogen feedstock to two nearby ammonia production plants in Ain Sokhna, Egypt: both EBIC’s single-train plant and the Egyptian Fertilizer Company’s dual-train plant. The project was first launched last October.

This project is a showcase of transitioning from pledges to implementation, delivering on Egypt’s promise to the world to create a regional hub for green energy and transforming the Suez Canal into a green corridor. We are setting a precedent with our foreign and local partners from the private sector by establishing the first integrated green hydrogen plant in Africa and Emerging Markets that caters to the growing demand for clean energy. It is a moment of pride that we will build on for future generations. Our pipeline of projects in the green energy field capitalizes on Egypt’s ideal location with its unique renewables profile and proximity to markets with renewables deficits to realize our shared goal of emissions reduction.

The Sovereign Fund of Egypt CEO Ayman Soliman in OCI N.V.’s official press release, 8 Nov 2022

AMEA Power

UAE-based AMEA Power will develop a 1 GW, 800,000 tonnes-per-year ammonia production plant in Ain Sokhna, after signing a framework agreement with the Egyptian government at COP27. AMEA is in discussion with “a number” of potential European, Chinese and Japanese offtakers for the ammonia product, as well as the Egyptian Hydrocarbon Corporation to supply renewable hydrogen (displacing fossil feedstock). The project will be developed in two 500 MW phases, with FID due in 24-36 months.

Fortescue plans multiple projects

Head of FFI Global Growth Julie Shuttleworth (left, seated) and Egyptian government officials sign the new framework agreement at COP27. Source: FFI.
Click to learn more. Head of FFI Global Growth Julie Shuttleworth (left, seated) and Egyptian government officials sign the new framework agreement at COP27. Source: FFI.

Fortescue Future Industries and the Egyptian government have signed a framework agreement to explore renewable hydrogen and ammonia projects in Egypt. The agreement secures land rights for FFI to assess renewable generating potential in several locations around the country. A capacity of 7.6 GW renewable generation is being considered, producing around 330,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year.

A big company like FFI showing interest in the Egyptian market underscores the attractiveness of the investment climate in Egypt, as well as its capabilities in the renewable energy field. Energy projects are vital, as they align with the government’s strategy to transform Egypt into a global renewable energy hub.

Egypt Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in FFI’s official press release, 24 Nov 2022