Fortescue looks at Brazilian hydrogen

The MoU will allow for FFI and Port of Açu to conduct development studies into the feasibility of installing a green hydrogen plant at Port of Açu, Latin America’s largest privately owned deep-water port-industrial complex.

Subject to the outcome of the studies, the project envisages construction of a 300-MW-capacity green hydrogen plant at Port of Açu, with potential to produce 250 000 t/y of green ammonia.

The availability of green hydrogen and renewable power is expected to drive further sustainable industrialisation of the port, including production of green steel, fertilizers, chemicals, fuels, and other sustainably manufactured industrial products.

The MoU also lays the groundwork for on-site solar power development projects, as well as offshore wind development projects in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, Fortescue said this week.

FFI CEO Julie Shuttleworth said FFI is assessing renewable energy and green hydrogen opportunities globally and will lead and drive the green energy and product industry as we transition away from fossil fuels.

“I am excited to announce this MoU with Port of Açu. The opportunity to establish totally new and future large-scale industries will drive growth in the Brazilian economy.

“We expect the potential for new green industries at Port of Açu to substantially diversify, broaden and deepen Brazil’s already skilled workforce.”

Port of Açu CEO Jose Firmo said the Port of Açu is sailing steadfastly ahead toward the sustainable economy of the future.

“One of the pillars of our vision for the port’s industrialization is today’s operational energy transition projects and the renewable energy-fuelled green industries of tomorrow.

“Açu is a gateway between the growing Brazilian economy and rapidly expanding low carbon businesses around the globe.

“It is exhilarating to collaborate with an international partner of this calibre on such a visionary project. This will be the first green hydrogen plant in the country and will place FFI and Açu at the forefront of clean energy production and the green industrialization of Brazil,” Firmo said.

Subject to the completion of feasibility studies and approvals, individual projects will be developed by FFI with ownership and project finance sources to be separately secured without recourse to Fortescue.