Fortescue allies with OCP for hydrogen and ammonia projects in Morocco

April 15, 2024, by Aida Čučuk

Fortescue Energy, a part of Australia-based green energy, metals and technology company Fortescue, and OCP Group, a Moroccan state-owned phosphate rock miner, phosphoric acid manufacturer and fertilizer producer, have formed a joint venture (JV) in Morocco, aiming to supply green hydrogen, ammonia and fertilizers to Morocco, Europe and international markets.

According to Fortescue, this equal partnership includes the potential development of manufacturing facilities and an R&D hub to advance the renewable energy industry in Morocco.

Specifically, the parties have laid out proposed plans for four “cornerstone” projects in Morocco:

large-scale integrated green ammonia and green fertilizer production capacity, including renewables, energy generation, electrolysis, ammonification and fertilizer production,
manufacturing of green technology and equipment,
an R&D and technology hub, located alongside Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) near Marrakech, to bolster the JV, the ecosystem and other players, with research in renewable energy, green hydrogen and minerals processing, and
collaboration of corporate venture capital funds to drive investment in key technology advancements.

The partners’ objective is to supply green hydrogen and ammonia for use both as sources of green energy and in the manufacture of carbon-neutral and customized fertilizers that are accessible and affordable for farmers around the world, Fortescue said, noting that both companies are united in their goal to reach their emissions reductions targets.

Andrew Forrest AO, Fortescue’s Executive Chair and Founder, stated that, together, Fortescue and OCP will build a globally competitive platform to accompany Morocco’s journey into a green energy production, manufacturing and industrial powerhouse, adding: “Morocco will be a major player in the global energy transition given it is home to some of the world’s most prospective wind and solar resources, two large coastlines, and is in close proximity to Europe and the Americas.”

Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group, commented: “Our strategic partnership with Fortescue is a testimony to our joint commitment to decarbonisation, driving the development of cutting-edge facilities and delivering competitive renewable energy, products and technology. This is a key step towards fulfilling our vision of simultaneously ensuring global food security and combating climate change.”

To remind, in 2024, Fortescue officially opened its electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, reaching a milestone in its wider green energy project being developed on the 100-hectare Gladstone site.

Furthermore, the company, with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), government agencies, research institutes and industry partners, conducted “the world’s first use of ammonia as a marine fuel onboard ammonia-powered vessel,” and it allocated Tecnimont, a business unit of Italy’s Maire, a front-end engineering design (FEED) work for the green ammonia plant in the Nordgulen fjord in Norway.