Sixth renewable ammonia project announced for Ceara state, Brazil

FRV to develop H2 Cumbuco

Spain-based FRV will develop a new renewable hydrogen and ammonia project at the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex (Portuguese language). FRV is now one of six organisations that have signed agreements with the state government of Ceará to develop production projects. FRV estimates that it will invest around $5 billion total into “H2 Cumbuco”, and will work with Utilitas Pecém (an initiative by the Ceará Water and Sewage Company Cagece) and PB Construções on the project.

The first phase of H2 Cumbuco features 500 MW of electrolysers, a production capacity of 400,000 tons of ammonia per year, and an investment of around $1.2 billion. In the second phase, electrolysis capacity will be increased to 2 GW, resulting in an ammonia production capacity of 1.6 million tons per year. Ammonia produced will meet RFNBO requirements “at a very competitive cost”, and treated urban wastewater will be used for electrolysis. Construction will start in 2027, with operations to begin in 2029-30.

The Port of Pecém is an area of ​​wealth. We want to have development, but also to have the people of Ceará growing as the Port of Pecém grows. I am very excited about this FRV project, which is innovative.

Governor of Ceará Elmano de Freitas (translated from Portuguese by Google), in Pecém Industrial and Port Complex’s official press release, 12 June 2024

Ceará has a very important renewable resource, because the largest solar and wind resource in Brazil is in the Northeast. The location of the Port of Pecém, mainly in relation to Europe and the United States, is also strategically very important.

General Director of FRV América do Sul Manuel Pavon (translated from Portuguese by Google), in Pecém Industrial and Port Complex’s official press release, 12 June 2024

This reused water will generate a circular economy and will not compete with human supplies. We had many negotiations prior to that moment. It is a very important step for Utilitas, Cagece and Ceará’s economy.

President of Cagece Neuri Freitas (translated from Portuguese by Google), in Pecém Industrial and Port Complex’s official press release, 12 June 2024

The other five agreements signed with the state government of Ceará are – like this new project – all focused on ammonia production. They include:

• Project Iracema, a multi-million ton per year ammonia production project being led by Casa dos Ventos, Comerc, and the TransHydrogen Alliance.
• the AES Brasil plant, an 800,000 tons per year ammonia production facility powered by 2.5 GW of renewable energy. AES recently presented an environmental impact assessment at a public hearing in Pecém.
• a 300,000 ton per year project being developed by Fortescue Future Industries.
• a million ton per year production plant featuring more than 1 GW of electrolysers, being developed by Cactus Energy Green.
• and a renewable hydrogen and ammonia project being developed by Voltalia.