KBR’s ammonia technology selected for Fortescue’s energy project in Norway

U.S. engineering company KBR has signed a contract to provide its green ammonia technology K-GreeN for the Holmaneset green energy project in Norway, being developed by Australia-based green energy, technology and metals company Fortescue.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR said the company will provide technology license, proprietary engineering design and front-end engineering design (FEED) support services for the 675 metric tonnes per day grassroots green ammonia plant in Norway.

Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, commented: “We are excited to work with Fortescue on this project to offer our zero-carbon green ammonia technology. KBR is a significant contributor in the development of the green energy value chain and decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries and we look forward to working with Fortescue to advance their ESG objectives.”

To note, the Holmaneset plant will produce green ammonia through electrolyzers that will use renewable hydropower for hydrogen production, and it is expected to ship the ammonia to domestic and European markets, contributing to the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries.

According to most recent reports, Fortescue is targeting construction to commence in 2025 and operations in 2027, pending final approvals from the board.

At the beginning of 2024, Fortescue allocated Tecnimont, a business unit of Italy’s Maire, the FEED work for the plant, with the scope of work entailing the design of electrolyzer integration, the air separation unit for nitrogen production, the ammonia production plant, as well as storage and ship loading facilities. As part of the agreement, Tecnimont is also expected to submit an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) proposal for the realization of the plant.

As for the Holmaneset project’s activities in 2023, the milestones include the awarding of a grant of €203,7 million by the European Union (EU) for the green ammonia plant, and the securing of renewable power for the project by Fortescue entering into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Statkraft, a supplier of renewable energy.