Australia-based energy services provider Worley Ltd will begin work on the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for two major green ammonia projects developed in cooperation with OCP Group in Morocco before the end of 2024 including the long anticipated $7bn Moroccan Ammonia Project.
Work on the multi-billion euro Tarfaya Power-to-X project will commence in September, Worley said in its annual report. The project in southern Morocco encompasses a transmission grid, hydrogen and ammonia plants, and storage facilities. It will also include a temporary camp for 30,000 workers, eventually expanding into a city for workers and their families. All facilities will be powered by wind and solar energy.
Project Fact Sheet
Project Capacity: One million tonnes of green ammonia annually
Cost: $USD 7 billion
Contractor: Worley Ltd
Location: Tarfaya, Morocco
Project’s significance: Production of green ammonia for industrial use
Project construction period: 3 years (set to commence operations in 2027)
Components of the $7bn Moroccan Ammonia Project
Covering over 100,000 hectares, the project will feature 2.7 GWh of battery storage, a 2.8 GW wind farm, a 1 GW solar PV power plant, and facilities for hydrogen and ammonia production. The project’s goal is to ramp up production to three million tonnes annually by 2032.
The ammonia produced will be used to create green fertilizers, supporting OCP Group’s aim to enhance its market leadership sustainably, aligning with global shifts towards greener energy solutions.
Once the FEED is complete, the project will move into the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) phase. It is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, with an initial production capacity of one million tonnes of green ammonia annually, potentially expanding to three million tonnes per year by 2032.
Jorf Hydrogen Project to be Launched
In addition, the FEED and detailed design work for the Jorf Hydrogen Project (JH2P) will be launched in November. JH2P is a large-scale green ammonia initiative under development on a greenfield site. It includes plans for a hydrogen facility and a green ammonia plant with an expected annual production of 100,000 tonnes. The project is slated for completion in 2026.
Both projects are being developed by JESA, a joint venture between Worley and OCP Group. The latter has launched a green growth initiative involving a global investment of USD 12 billion (EUR 10.75bn) from 2023 to 2027. The plan focuses on expanding mining and fertiliser production while aiming for complete carbon neutrality by 2040. The programme includes also the installation of electrolysers with a combined capacity of about 2 GW which will be powered by renewable energy.
By harnessing renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, the Tarfaya Green Ammonia Project supports environmental sustainability and boosts Morocco’s energy independence. It also aligns with Morocco’s long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, positioning the country as a leader in renewable energy.
Other Upcoming Mega Projects in Morocco
Belgian dredging firm Jan De Nul joined forces with Australian green energy giant Fortescue to build a colossal 1,000-kilometer cable to serve as a green energy bridge, leveraging Morocco’s clean power resources.
The two companies signed a cooperation agreement in Rabat to explore the development of the submarine power cable. Their goal is to transport Morocco’s green energy over a distance exceeding 1,000 kilometers to the European continent.
Also read: Morocco’s 1,300 Kilometer High Speed Rail to be Constructed by 2040
