Air Products, ACWA Power and Omani energy group OQ have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) toward a green hydrogen-based ammonia factory powered by renewable energy.
The JDA for the multi-billion-dollar investment follows a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2021.
Envisioned for Oman’s Salalah Free Zone, the joint venture project includes integration of renewable power from solar, wind and storage, in Oman, production of hydrogen by electrolysis production of nitrogen by air separation and production of green ammonia.
It is anticipated that the green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility would be equally owned by the project partners.
Air Products chairman, president and CEO Seifi Ghasemi said: “We are delighted and honoured to work with the government of Oman to develop this multi-billion-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.”
OQ chairman Mulham Al Jarf added: “We are proud of our partnership with ACWA Power and Air Products.
“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.”
ACWA Power chairman Mohammad A Abunayyan said: “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.”