PurpleGreen: renewable ammonia exports from Latvia

550,000 tons per year on the Baltic Sea

Latvia-based PurpleGreen Energy is developing a renewable ammonia production plant at the Port of Ventspils on the Baltic Sea. Under a new offtake agreement signed with German energy trader Select Energy, PurpleGreen will deliver 550,000 tons per year of ammonia over a twenty-year contract period. The production plant will feature 550 MW of electrolysis capacity, and be powered by renewable electricity from Latvia’s grid, and will comply with all RFNBO criteria as set out by the EU. Ammonia production is scheduled to begin in early 2029.

The signed memorandum demonstrates the demand for green ammonia produced throughout the project over the next 20 years, which is a critical factor in negotiations with investors. This marks a significant step toward securing funding to advance the project until the green ammonia plant in Ventspils becomes operational.

Māris Daniševskis, Lead Power-to-X Manager at the PurpleGreen, in the Freeport of Ventspils’ official press release, 1 Nov 2024

We are proud to sign this Memorandum of Understanding and to initiate a strategic partnership with PurpleGreen. The goal of our companies is to develop clean and decarbonized products for consumers across various sectors, particularly in shipping and energy supply. This memorandum aligns with SET’s significant and growing role in supporting the decarbonization of different sectors.

Felix Danger, Managing Director of Select New Energies, in the Freeport of Ventspils’ official press release, 1 Nov 2024

Ventspils offers both suitable areas for such projects and easily adaptable port infrastructure for the export of green ammonia and e-methanol. Of course, it would be short-sighted not to evaluate and seize these opportunities; therefore, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority is purposefully developing a renewable energy cluster in Ventspils, with green ammonia production being one of the key cornerstones of this complex of diverse activities. We are satisfied that PurpleGreen Energy C chose the Freeport of Ventspils as a place for the development of its project, and we are progressing step by step toward achieving results.

Igors Udodovs, the Deputy CEO of the Freeport of Ventspils, in his organisation’s official press release, 1 Nov 2024

PurpleGreen has already signed a 45 year rights agreement with the Freeport of Ventspils for the construction of an ammonia production plant over 10 hectares, and reports that the environmental impact assessment is now underway. A grid connection to power 550 MW of electrolysers has been secured, and existing infrastructure for ammonia handling and transport exists at Ventspils:

We believe Ventspils is the perfect location for the production and export of green ammonia, given its historical infrastructure and experience in handling up to 1.5 million tons of green ammonia annually. The existing export/import terminal for green ammonia, combined with railway infrastructure, allows the servicing of up to 250 rail tank wagons per day.

Existing infrastructure at the Freeport of Ventspils, PurpleGreen Active Projects, 2024