Mitsui to lead test project for solar-powered green ammonia production in Chile

Japanese companies Mitsui and Toyo Engineering are collaborating with Chilean industrial explosive manufacturer Enaex to build an 18,000 mt/year green ammonia demonstration plant in Tocopilla, North Chile.

PHOTO: Aerial view of a solar cell farm. Getty Images

This demonstration plant is designed to test technology that stabilises green ammonia production when using solar power.

The project has been proposed as a feasibility study by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) as part of its “international demonstration project on Japan's energy efficiency technologies.” NEDO is Japan’s national government fund and innovation accelerator for technical research required for the projects.

Mitsui and Toyo will commence the feasibility study for the demonstration plant after its adoption by NEDO in March this year.

After conducting a feasibility study and a business evaluation by NEDO, the companies will commence construction of the demonstration plant, which is expected to be completed by 2025.

Mitsui and Enaex will later construct a commercial-scale green ammonia plant in Chile using the experience from the demonstration plant.

“Northern Chile has a high potential for solar power compared to other parts of the globe, and the country is expected to produce cost-competitive green hydrogen and ammonia by utilising abundant renewable energy,” writes Mitsui.

Diego Pardow, Chile's energy minister, announced last year at COP27 that Chile's “abundance of renewable energy would be used to produce fuel for the maritime sector in the future.”

Chile has also been highlighted as one of the top contenders to produce cost-effective green hydrogen by the Port of Rotterdam.

By Konica Bhatt

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