Larsen & Toubro are in talks on delivering 10GW upstream electricity and grid infrastructure for the world’s largest green hydrogen plant. The 4.4GW green hydrogen-based ammonia project is one that is planned by Saudi-based ACWA Power. The Indian engineering firm’s RENU vertical signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Saudi power generation major for the renewables and grid scope of the Yanbu Green Ammonia Project. The scope includes solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage systems.
Moreover, it includes substations and transmission lines that will power the 4.4GW electrolysis facility and ammonia conversion. The facility, planned to be built in Yanbu Industrial City, is set to use 10GW of wind and solar power to produce 2.5 million tonnes of green ammonia per year. Most of the ammonia produced will be exported to key markets like Europe. Once completed, the project is expected to surpass the supposed world’s largest green hydrogen project being worked on by NEOM Hydrogen.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Will be the largest green hydrogen project globally with 4.4GW electrolysis capacity.
- Expected to also produce 2.5 million tonnes of green ammonia annually for export.
- Central to Saudi Arabia’s ambition to dominate the global green hydrogen sector.
Infrastructure:
- Located in Yanbu Industrial City, powered by 10GW of solar and wind generation.
- Also includes battery energy storage systems, substations, and transmission lines.
- Will double the size of the under-construction 2.2GW NEOM hydrogen plant.
Developer/Consortium:
- Led by ACWA Power, Saudi Arabia’s power generation major.
- Larsen & Toubro (RENU vertical) in talks for renewables and grid delivery.
- Engineering studies contracted to Técnicas Reunidas and also Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering.
Timeline:
- Projected first-phase operation by 2030.
- MOUs signed with Edison, TotalEnergies, EnBW, and Zhero Europe for export markets.
Challenges:
- Requires large-scale grid integration and stable transmission planning.
- Global demand for green ammonia still in early stages of development.
- Execution risks due to scale, cost, and technology deployment timeline.
The Scope of Implementation on the World’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant
The world’s largest green hydrogen plant is one that seems to be effectively taking shape as plans to commence its implementation are underway. ACWA has already contracted Técnicas Reunidas and Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering to conduct a 10-month engineering study for the project. There are also plans to bring the first phase online in 2030. It would represent the largest green hydrogen project in the world. It would have double the capacity of the under-construction 2.2GW NEOM plant, also in Saudi Arabia.
“By developing and exporting green ammonia, we aim to support international markets in their decarbonisation efforts and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable world,” said ACWA CEO Marco Arcelli. ACWA has also signed MOUs with Edison, TotalEnergies, Zhero Europe and EnBW to explore European demand for large-scale imports. The significance of the monumental project cannot be overstated as it is expected to revolutionize the Kingdom’s green hydrogen sector.
