Significant Milestone in Morocco's Green Hydrogen Initiative
The green ammonia project spearheaded by ORNX Green Hydrogen in Morocco has successfully advanced to the pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) stage, marking a crucial milestone in the development of a facility poised to generate approximately 560,000 tons of ammonia annually. This ambitious project is an integral component of Morocco's broader $34.5 billion investment program aimed at establishing a robust green hydrogen sector. The U.S.-based engineering firm KBR has been designated to conduct the pre-FEED studies, which are essential for assessing the project's technical and financial feasibility.
On August 12, KBR announced its selection by ORNX to carry out these studies, which will take place in the Laâyoune region. The facility is expected to utilize 900 megawatts (MW) of electrolyzers, a critical technology that will support the sustainable production of ammonia. Additionally, KBR will leverage its proprietary ammonia production technology to facilitate the project’s development. The financial backing for this study comes from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which has expressed its commitment to supporting this significant low-cost ammonia initiative.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
KBR's collaboration with industry leaders such as GE Vernova, Electric Hydrogen, and Terabase will be pivotal as the study evaluates various electricity supply options, equipment sizing, and financial models necessary for the project's viability. Jay Ibrahim, president of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, emphasized the importance of their ammonia technology expertise in expediting project development, enhancing plant performance, and minimizing execution risks.
In a larger context, this project is part of Morocco's strategic Green Hydrogen Offer, which aims to position the country as a leader in the renewable energy sector. In March 2025, the Moroccan government selected five investors, including the ORNX consortium, comprising Ortus, Acciona, and Nordex, to proceed with various projects that collectively represent investments amounting to 319 billion dirhams. The ongoing land reservation process for these initiatives marks another important step, as nearly 1 million hectares have been identified for the burgeoning green hydrogen industry, with 300,000 hectares set to be gradually made available.
The successful completion of the pre-FEED study is expected to provide valuable insights into the project's technical requirements and economic viability. The subsequent transition to the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, followed by a final investment decision, will be critical in determining the pathway towards construction. This progression will also serve as a litmus test for Morocco's overarching ambitions in the green hydrogen landscape, transforming investment plans into tangible projects.
As reported by ecofinagency.com.
