Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre inaugurated the 24 MW renewable hydrogen plant in the Herøya industrial park, the largest of its kind currently operating in Europe. Hydrogen is produced with water electrolysis and renewable energy, replacing natural gas as a raw material and reducing 41,000 tons of CO emissions annually2 of the site.
Yara International today inaugurated Europe’s largest electrolyzer in the industrial park on the Herøya peninsula, Norway. Manufactured by British company ITM Power, this 24 megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser was initially sold to Linde Engineering, which has been involved in the complete design of the plant alongside Yara.
Since September, this electrolyzer has been producing up to ten tons of renewable hydrogen per day. In addition, fertilizer (ammonia) is manufactured from renewable energy, also using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.
Project features
- Site area: Approximately 1.5 square kilometers.
- Annual fertilizer production: 3 million tons.
- Electrolyzer production capacity: 24 megawatts.
- Daily hydrogen production: Up to 10 tons.
- Annual ammonia production: 20,000 tons.
- Reduction of CO2 emissions: 40,000 tons per year.
The commissioning of the 24 MW electrolyser is an important milestone for Yara and for the decarbonization of value chains in the food industry, shipping and other energy-intensive sectors.
Svein Tore Holsether, president and CEO of Yara
Hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, replacing natural gas as a raw material, reducing approximately 40,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually on site.
Fertilizers produced and supplied with a low CO2 footprint will form part of a new portfolio called Yara Climate Choice. These solutions not only benefit crops, but also contribute to the decarbonization of the food value chain.
In addition to fertilizers produced through water electrolysis and renewable energy, Yara will also include in its portfolio fertilizers based on low-carbon ammonia, produced with the help of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
CCS as key to the Paris Agreement
Renewable ammonia is a key piece in the decarbonization puzzle, but industrial scale-up takes time. 2030 is near, so we are also working on low-carbon ammonia production with CCS to facilitate the hydrogen economy and develop emerging markets for low-emission ammonia.
Hans Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia
In 2023, Yara signed a CO2 transport and storage agreement with Northern Lights, the world’s first cross-border CCS agreement. Yara aims to reduce its annual CO2 emissions from ammonia production at Yara Sluiskil, Netherlands, by 800,000 tonnes. Additionally, Yara is evaluating one or two low-carbon ammonia production projects with CCS in the United States.
Holsether added that “The green transformation requires investments, reliable framework conditions, a massive expansion of renewable energy and networks, constantly developing technology and a mature market where supply and demand develop in parallel. Companies that take these challenges seriously will have a competitive advantage«.
Electrolyzer technical details
- Electrolyzer: 24 MW PEM Electrolyzer by ITM Power (UK)
- Ability: Hydrogen >99 percent / 30 bar
- Application: Ammonia production
- Hydrogen capacity: 10 tons per day
- State: Stable production, not yet at full capacity
- Ammonia production: 20,000 tons per year
- Avoid CO2 emissions: 40,000 tons per year
- Design: Linde Engineering, Dresden
This project marks significant progress towards sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions, aligning with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and positioning Yara as a leader in the energy transition and sustainable fertilizer production.
Via www.yara.com
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