Ammonia loses lustre as hydrogen carrier

Green ammonia projects may have better prospects selling into the existing ammonia market, rather than chasing hydrogen demand, according to speakers at the recent World Hydrogen Mena conference

Green ammonia projects have gained significant traction, with several megaprojects in the Mena region such as Neom and Green Energy Oman aiming to export their product to Europe as a hydrogen carrier. But the cost of cracking and potential efficiency losses could undermine the case for conversion back to hydrogen, potentially leaving direct use of green ammonia as the more attractive option for some producers, according to speakers at the recent World Hydrogen Mena conference in Dubai. “The lowest-hanging fruit with [green] ammonia production is displacing grey ammonia, so that is the first thing you do,” said Jonathan Carpenter, vice-president, new energy services at UK-headquartered servic