Australia’s Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has signed a binding framework agreement with the government of Kenya to fast-track the development of an affordable green fertiliser supply chain, as well as other green hydrogen-based industries and derivatives.

FFI will work with the government to develop a 300MW green ammonia and fertiliser facility located in the Naivasha vicinity of the Olkaria geothermal field by 2025. The facility will supply the domestic market in an effort to address food security while reducing the need for imports, the developer says. FFI expects to take FID on the Naivasha project in 2023.

“Current ammonia and fertiliser production relies almost exclusively on fossil fuels and results in considerable CO₂ emissions. By stepping away from fossil fuels to use green ammonia, Kenya can eliminate its reliance on imports, reduce the cost of fertiliser and increase its food and economic security,” says Andrew Forrest, chairman of FFI.

“Today’s agreement sets Kenya on a path to industrial decarbonisation and we are committed to walk with Kenya on that journey every step of the way.”

The Kenyan government and FFI also plan to launch feasibility studies for two further projects, with the aim of ultimately producing up to 1.7mn t/yr of green hydrogen for export.

“We are committed to Kenya being a leader of renewable energy in Africa. We look forward to partnering with FFI to accelerate the global energy transition for the benefit of the continent,” says Kenya’s president William Ruto.

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Author: Polly Martin