en.Wedoany.com Reported - KBR has been awarded a contract by ORNX Green Hydrogen to carry out the pre-front-end engineering design (Pre-FEED) for a large-scale, low-cost ammonia project planned in Laâyoune, Morocco. The study is funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
KBR will provide technology licensing and Pre-FEED services for the project. The project is planned to produce approximately 560,000 metric tons of low-cost ammonia per year, with around 900 megawatts of electrolyzer capacity, integrating power generation, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis on a single large-scale platform. The project site benefits from abundant renewable energy resources and strategic port infrastructure.
KBR previously played a substantive role in facilitating ORNX's engagement with USTDA and in preparing the grant application, securing funding for the Pre-FEED study.
Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, stated that KBR, as a global ammonia technology provider, is well-positioned to assist developers in accelerating project maturity, optimizing plant performance, and reducing execution risk. This award reflects the viability of its integrated approach in engineering projects and underscores the company's commitment to participating in the energy transition through scalable, commercially viable technology pathways.
The project is expected to contribute to Morocco's renewable energy and hydrogen development goals while establishing a large-scale, export-oriented supply of low-carbon ammonia for the global market. Demand for clean fuels and sustainable feedstocks in the fertilizer, shipping, and industrial sectors is currently on the rise. Morocco has identified hydrogen and its derivatives as a strategic growth area and continues to attract international capital into large-scale renewable energy projects.
Peter A. Gish, President and CEO of ORNX, stated that KBR provided strong support in engaging with USTDA, enabling the Laâyoune ammonia project to advance to its current stage. This funding will ensure the successful completion of the Pre-FEED study, which is being executed by a consortium comprising KBR, GE Vernova, Electric Hydrogen, and Terabase. ORNX plans to proceed with the project's FEED and final investment decision based on these efforts.
KBR's ammonia technology has been applied in more than 260 grassroots, revamp, and expansion projects worldwide, and its processes are recognized across the industry for efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with both conventional and low-carbon ammonia production routes.
