The ORNX consortium, a Spanish-German-American group, has selected Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), GE Vernova, Electric Hydrogen, and Terabase Energy to conduct the pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) study for a green ammonia production facility in Laayoune, Western Sahara. The study is funded with $5.7 million, according to a press release from ORNX dated July 28, 2026.
The project aims to produce green ammonia using renewable energy sources, leveraging the region's high solar and wind potential. KBR will provide engineering services, GE Vernova will supply electrolysis technology, Electric Hydrogen will contribute its proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, and Terabase will handle solar power integration.
ORNX stated that the pre-FEED study is expected to be completed by mid-2027, after which a final investment decision will be made. The facility is planned to have an initial capacity of 200,000 tons of green ammonia per year, with potential expansion to 1 million tons annually.
The project is part of Morocco's broader strategy to become a hub for green hydrogen and ammonia production, targeting European markets. The Laayoune region has been identified as a key site due to its abundant renewable resources and proximity to export routes.
