PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The green energy arm of iron-ore miner Fortescue, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to evaluate the development of green hydrogen projects in the Arab Republic of Egypt, just days after announcing plans to explore green hydrogen and renewable energy production in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The MoU signed between FFI, New and Renewable Energy Authority, The General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and The Sovereign Fund of Egypt for Investment and Development (TSFE), demonstrates the parties’ commitment to becoming leaders in renewable energy production and to take steps towards the production of green hydrogen in Egypt.
“Our green hydrogen portfolio is expanding, enabling us to deliver on our goal and promise of producing green energy flagship projects,” The TSFE CEO Ayman Soliman said.
“We are glad to collaborate with FFI on this project, who are renowned players in the zero-carbon energy generation field. Through our green energy projects, we are able to capitalize on Egypt’s renewable energy resources and transform Egypt into a regional green energy hub, setting an example at COP27 which will be hosted by Egypt in November 2022,” Soliman said.
FFI CEO Julie Shuttleworth said that Egypt had the potential to become a global powerhouse in the green energy value chain.
“Egypt’s excellent hydropower, wind and solar resources can generate the renewable energy required to produce large-scale green electricity, green hydrogen and green ammonia both for export and to decarbonise Egyptian industry.”
Subject to the outcome of the studies, FFI has an interest in developing large-scale renewable energy projects in Egypt.
FFI president Middle East North Africa Moataz Kandil said the MoU was a significant step towards lowering emissions and progressing green energy projects in the region.
“FFI is looking forward to working with the Arab Republic of Egypt on this new venture, as well as our shared commitment to delivering social, environmental and economic benefits,” Kandil said.
The MoU in Egypt follows days after FFI held its first in-person public information session in Newfoundland and Labrador to discuss potential renewable energy production on the island portion of the province.
FFI has filed a registration for an environmental assessment for its proposed green hydrogen production and export development, which will include a hydrogen electrolysis and green ammonia production plant, liquid ammonia marine export terminal, and wind power generation facilities.
It is expected this development could create up to 2 000 local jobs a year through the construction and operation of the plant and growth in supporting businesses.
FFI country manager for Canada Stephen Appleton said the proposed development would put Newfoundland and Labrador at the forefront of the global race to develop large-scale zero-emission energy.
“This is about generating the green energy required to end our reliance on fossil fuels here in Canada and globally. Newfoundland and Labrador have enormous potential to be a renewable energy powerhouse, and to realize the substantial economic benefit that can come from that.”
In alignment with FFI’s commitment to build thriving communities through the delivery of social, environmental and economic benefits, FFI is engaging with Qalipu and Miawpukek First Nations on the island of Newfoundland, as well as all levels of government, most specifically communities, regarding the proposed development.
The proposed production plant will recover nitrogen from the air and combine it with hydrogen to produce an estimated 700 000 t/y to 900 000 t/y of green ammonia.
Options for hydrogen storage would also be developed using established gas storage techniques, providing significant flexibility to the green ammonia production facility and helping smooth out the intermittency of wind power generation.
The proposed development also includes the construction of two 600 MW green ammonia production trains, and wind power facilities to achieve an overall 2 000 MW nominal capacity. A portion of the power could potentially be provided from the grid to the production facility.
The proposed development is being proposed in and around the Stephenville, St. George’s and Channel- Port Aux Basques areas.
The proposed development is in addition to FFI’s ongoing work with the Innu Nation in Labrador regarding Gull Island and other FFI projects under review in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.