China is keeping pace with IEA predictions for electrolyzer installations, with as much as 55% of the world’s total capacity to be installed there by 2028. Coupled with strong wind-power resources, domestic manufacturing capabilities and multiple economic drivers to transition away from coal-based ammonia production, China is ideally positioned to speed up the deployment of renewable ammonia projects.
A research team from Griffith & Oxford Universities concludes that, with the right approach, multiple world-scale, renewable ammonia plants could operate on the Queensland coast, supporting the deep decarbonisation of the electricity grid. Flexible plants can provide “green ammonia value chain-based” demand response services, representing a potential answer to Australia’s winter energy problem.
International crude oil giant Euronav and CMB.TECH will merge to form a new clean shipping entity. The future fleet will feature nearly one hundred ammonia-fueled ships, including Ultramaxes, large-scale container vessels, long-range carriers and chemical tankers. Further details have also emerged about CMB.TECH’s ammonia fuel production project in Namibia, which is targeting a yearly production capacity of 185,000 tonnes of ammonia fuel by 2028.
The Indian government has launched a new incentive scheme for renewable ammonia, aiming to support the production of 550,000 tonnes per year from 2027. The news comes as the first winners of subsidies for renewable hydrogen production & domestic electrolyser manufacturing were announced. In December, the government also amended an existing scheme to provide financial assistance for new-build vessels powered by green fuels, including ammonia.
AustriaEnergy, Ökowind and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ HNH Energy project in southern Chile will expand to a second phase, featuring a tripling of onshore wind capacity to 5 GW. Construction is due to start in 2025.
Tsubame BHB will partner with Agri Laos and State Enterprise for Agriculture Service to produce low-carbon fertiliser for domestic use, and potentially exports.
In our latest episode of Ammonia Project Features, we explored Project Iracema: a grid-connected, renewable ammonia production facility under-development in Pecem, northeast Brazil. To discuss Brazil’s unique electricity market, project details and the important role of certification to the project, AEA Technology Manager Kevin Rouwenhorst was joined by Jonas Rechreche (Proton Ventures), Matheus Kleming (Casa dos Ventos) and Ricardo Gedra (CCEE).
Fortescue is developing a 225,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia project in western Norway. The Holmaneset Project has received over €200 million grant from the EU’s Innovation Fund. Fortescue also secured 300 MW renewable power supply from Statkraft.
For producers to qualify for 45V tax credits, the US Treasury has proposed a set of new rules for renewable hydrogen that closely align with EU standards. The three pillars approach already adopted by the EU is proposed, as is the use of Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model for lifecycle emissions analysis.
ACWA Power will develop a 150,000 tonnes-per-year renewable ammonia project in Indonesia, powered by 600 MW of wind and solar energy. The Saudi-based company also commenced construction on the first phase of its 500,000 tonnes-per-year renewable ammonia project in Uzbekistan, and has progressed development of a renewable mega-project near the Suez Canal.