Saudi Arabia-based power plant developer, ACWA Power, and Oman’s leading integrated energy group, OQ have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with American international corporation Air Products (APD) to invest in a world-scale green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy in Sultanate.
The joint venture project, envisioned for Oman’s Salalah Free Zone, would be based on proven, world-class technology. “Further, it includes the innovative integration of renewable power from solar, wind and storage, production of hydrogen by electrolysis, production of nitrogen by air separation, and production of green ammonia,” according to the statement.
It is anticipated that the green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility would be equally owned by the project partners.
Commenting on this venture, OQ Chairman Mr. Mulham Al Jarf said that, “This project positions OQ as an energy transition enabler, while playing on our strengths and leveraging our expertise in the downstream chemicals business, particularly in Salalah where we have extensive operations, and our demonstrated ability to off-take products and competitively deliver them to global customers. The project fits well with the Sultanates’ renewable energy strategy and fosters investments in alternative energy resources, both of which contribute to Oman Vision 2040.”
Mohammad Abunayyan Chairman ACWA Power
“As a company that is driving the transition towards a greener future through utilizing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, we are extremely proud to support the Government of Oman’s ambition to pursue decarbonization and advance the development of green hydrogen, considered to be the fuel of the future. Our investment in developing and building water desalination and power production plants in Oman started in 2011, and we continue to expand our robust portfolio in the Sultanate. Utilizing our global expertise, we were successfully able to launch Oman’s first utility-scale renewable energy project. Oman continues to be a key market for ACWA Power for its potential, resources, and location, making it a tremendous enabler for the production of green hydrogen. The signing of the joint development agreement is another milestone and signifies the continued trust being placed in ACWA Power by all our partners in bringing this ambitious project to life.”
“We aim to leverage our proven track record, knowledge, and expertise in developing sustainable global scale green projects including NEOM – a pioneering at-scale green hydrogen and ammonia facility, and we are confident of leading green hydrogen development globally through partnership and collaboration,” Mr. Abunayyan added.
Mr. Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Air Products noted that, “We are delighted and honored to work with the government of Oman to develop this multibillion-dollar project, which would be similar to the world-scale green hydrogen project we are implementing with our partners in NEOM in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to applying our know-how, technology, and more than 60 years of experience in hydrogen to help move this project forward and take another significant step in decarbonizing the world.”
