For our December episode of Ammonia Project Features, we welcomed Alzbeta Klein (International Fertilizer Association) and Tarek Hosny (Fertiglobe). Our speakers discussed a pathway forward for Egypt’s fertilizer industry to decarbonize, presented the newly-commissioned Egypt Green Hydrogen project, and outlined the unique advantages (and challenges) of developing renewable production projects in Egypt.
In our December episode of Ammonia Project Features, our three guests focused on renewable ammonia production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Allan Manhanga (Sable Chemicals) took us through the story of renewable ammonia production in Zimbabwe from 1972 to 2015, and what is needed to restart the industry there. Ralph Koekkoek (MET Development) presented a new renewable ammonia & fertilizer project underway in Kenya, with a focus on local farmers and national food security. And Marcel Jacobs (African Hydrogen Partnership) emphasized the important role of organisations in raising awareness & de-risking future projects, particularly through approaches like the proposed East African Green Hydrogen and Fertilizer Corridor.
Angola’s state-owned energy company Sonangol has signed an agreement with two German engineering firms to build a 280,000 tonne per year renewable ammonia production plant on the country’s northern coast. Exports to the EU are expected to begin in 2024, with a supply of hydroelectricity already secured.
Trammo and Canada-based Teal Corporation have signed an exclusive supply and off-take agreement this week for green ammonia produced at Teal’s to-be-built plants. The first is a hydroelectric ammonia plant in Quebec, producing 800,000 tonnes per year, with more projects planned to bring production capacity up to at least 2.5 million tonnes.
Three key first-movers at Ammonia Energy - NEOM, Yara and Fertiberia - have all made significant steps towards green ammonia production in recent times. With the launch of a new subsidiary to develop hydrogen & ammonia production, NEOM can possibly begin construction of its green hydrogen plant this month. Also this week, Yara held a groundbreaking ceremony at Heroya, with the intention to bring green ammonia and fertilisers to market by mid-2023. And a few months ago in December, green hydrogen storage tanks arrived at Fertiberia’s Puertollano ammonia plant, ready for installation.
Eurasia Mining and H4Energy will develop two hydrogen/ammonia export projects at either end of Russia. The Kola Green Hydrogen Project in Murmansk (far west) seeks to take advantage of cheap, abundant zero-carbon energy, combined with easy access to key shipping routes. On Sakhalin Island (far east) a new, wind-powered P2X facility is being explored.
Paraguay's National Administration of Electricity (ANDE) signed a new MoU this week with MET Development and FerSam Uruguay to develop a 100% renewable energy-powered fertiliser plant in Alto Paraná. Hydroelectricity from the nearby Itaipu Dam will power green hydrogen production, which will then be utilised to produce ammonium nitrate fertilisers. ATOME Energy also announced plans for a 250 MW green hydrogen & ammonia production plant in the Itaipu Technology Park. Both project fit neatly into Paraguay's green hydrogen national strategy, with an installed electrolyser target of 600 MW set for 2030.
Topsøe and newcomer Green Fuel will join forces to identify efficient and scalable technologies to produce green ammonia in Iceland. A coalition of organisations is also working on a new green energy park in the town of Reyðarfjörður on Iceland's east coast, with e-fuels production and use of the electrolysis by-product oxygen a major part of the plan.
Australia-based Minbos Resources and Angola's Ministry of Agriculture agreed on a plan to develop green ammonia and fertiliser production in the African country. Powered by the Capanda Hydroelectric Dam, an ammonia & fertiliser production facility will be built within heavy road transport distance of Angola's key agricultural and mining regions. The announcement is one of many in 2021 that focuses on turning existing ammonia importers into producers (and in some cases, export powerhouses!).
Two New Zealand organisations - Meridian Energy and Contact Energy - are seeking partners to develop the world's largest green hydrogen plant in Southland, New Zealand. Ammonia is the "high-potential, near-term" option to act as a hydrogen carrier for the project.