Fertiliser company Yara and offshore wind developer Ørsted join forces for the production of sustainable ammonia. The green ammonia to be produced in Sluiskil in the Dutch province of Zeeland is intended for the production of green fertilisers. In the future, it may also be used for climate-neutral marine fuel.

The aim of the companies is to replace fossil hydrogen with renewable hydrogen for the production of green ammonia. The renewable hydrogen could produce around 75,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year. That is about 10 per cent of the capacity of the largest of the ammonia plants in Sluiskil. The new plant will be powered by wind energy from Ørsted.

According to Yara and Ørsted, hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources is a CO2-free alternative to hydrogen from fossil sources. The cost of renewable hydrogen is currently significantly higher than that of fossil hydrogen. That is why, in addition to private money, public support is needed for the time being to be able to produce renewable hydrogen on a large scale. The companies are currently looking for a co-financier.

Subject to sufficient funding and a conclusive plan, a final investment decision for the construction of the new plant will be taken at the end of next year or early 2022. According to the initiators, the project will generate potential CO2 savings of 100,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 50,000 petrol cars off the streets.

The companies also call on the Dutch government to set up a clear and concrete hydrogen programme. Also because they believe the Netherlands is well positioned to lead the way in the green transformation of industry based on wind energy.

Source: ANP