FFI to produce green ammonia in Kenya using geothermal energy

Signing ceremony between Fortescue Future Industries and the Republic of Kenya (source: President of the Republic of Kenya)

Carlo Cariaga 5 Apr 2023

Global green energy firm Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has signed an agreement with the Republic of Kenya to launch a 300-MW green ammonia and fertilizer facility harnessing the geothermal resources of the Olkaria field in Naivasha.  The project will provide affordable fertilizer to the market, while also accelerating the phasing out of fossil fuels and reinforcing the position of Kenya as a global leader in renewable energy.

Fossil fuel-dependent fertilizer production is a significant contributor to green house gas emissions.

The agreement was signed by Energy, and National Treasury Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir and Njuguna Ndung’u, and FFI Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest. President William Ruto was in attendance during the signing ceremony stating that Kenya is  “walking the talk by taking steps that proactively exploit the opportunity to provide solutions to the global climate crisis”.

This is the first of three projects that will see Australia’s FFI invest in green energy and manufacturing in Kenya. Dr Forrest described these partnerships as steps to set Kenya on a path to industrial decarbonization, and that its provides Kenya additional energy security that steps beyond the use of fossil fuels.

Earlier this year, FFI signed a MoU with Baker Hughes to jointly explore opportunities to scale up and adopt technology solutions for green hydrogen, green ammonia, and geothermal projects. The companies aspire to bring early-stage technologies to commercial scale faster than what would otherwise be possible. These technologies will potentially benefit the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in both energy production and hard-to-abate industrial sectors including mining, steel and cement.

Source: President of the Republic of Kenya