KBR to Lead Pre-FEED for ORNX Ammonia Initiative in Laâyoune
In a significant development for the green hydrogen sector in Morocco, KBR, an American engineering firm, has been chosen by ORNX Green Hydrogen to carry out the preliminary engineering studies (pre-FEED) for its ammonia project located in Laâyoune. This ambitious project aims to produce approximately 560,000 tons of ammonia annually, leveraging a robust 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity. The pre-FEED studies are crucial as they will lay the groundwork for transitioning to the FEED stage and ultimately lead to a final investment decision.
As part of this collaboration, KBR will also provide its cutting-edge ammonia production technology. The project is financially supported by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which announced its backing at the end of July. The studies will be conducted in partnership with GE Vernova, Electric Hydrogen, and Terabase, focusing on evaluating electricity supply options, determining equipment sizing, and establishing the financial projections and business models for the project. The specific amount of funding from USTDA has yet to be disclosed.
Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR's Sustainable Technology Solutions division, expressed pride in supporting ORNX and the USTDA in this vital initiative aimed at producing low-cost ammonia in Morocco. He emphasized KBR's unique position as a global leader in ammonia technology, which enables the company to assist project developers in expediting project maturation, optimizing plant performance, and mitigating implementation risks.
This project aligns with Morocco's green hydrogen strategy. In March 2025, the Moroccan government selected five investors to develop six projects in the southern regions of the country, representing a substantial investment of 319 billion dirhams (approximately 34.5 billion USD). Among the selected groups is the ORNX consortium, which includes Ortus, Acciona, and Nordex.
In February 2026, these projects reached a new milestone with the initiation of land reservation processes. Morocco has identified nearly 1 million hectares for green hydrogen development, gradually making 300,000 hectares available for this purpose. The pre-FEED phase will refine the technical and economic parameters of the ORNX project, setting the stage for the transition to FEED and a final investment decision, which will be pivotal in advancing the country’s ambitions in green hydrogen production.
As reported by agenceecofin.com.
