- SwitcH2 and CorPower Ocean are developing a floating green ammonia production unit off Portugal powered by wave energy.
- The project will produce 300,000 tons of green ammonia annually for maritime and industrial use, supporting decarbonisation efforts.
- Future expansions are planned for West Africa and the Dutch North Sea, increasing ammonia and hydrogen exports to European markets.
SwitcH2 and CorPower Ocean are partnering to develop an industrial-scale floating green ammonia production unit. The project will harness renewable energy from wave power to produce green ammonia in open waters off the northern coast of Portugal, with funding from the Netherlands’ GroenvermogenNL TSE program.
The facility will combine advanced technologies for production, storage, and transport. The key innovation involves using wave-powered buoys to enhance the renewable energy supply. The unit will produce around 300,000 tons of green ammonia annually for maritime and industrial applications.
Green ammonia is crucial in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors, such as maritime transport, which accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The green ammonia market, valued at $0.7 billion in 2024, will likely grow to $55 billion by 2032.
CorPower Ocean, a leader in wave energy technology, aims to harness this renewable resource. Kevin Rebenius, CorPower Ocean’s commercial director, pointed out that wave energy provides a reliable and continuous power source, ideal for stabilizing industrial processes that demand stable energy.
SwitcH2 plans to extend the project beyond Portugal. The company sees potential in West Africa and the Dutch North Sea. These projects will increase ammonia and hydrogen exports to European markets, supporting the region’s carbon neutrality goals.
Saskia Kunst, Director and Co-founder of SwitcH2, emphasised the flexibility of floating platforms. They are mobile assets, adaptable to regions with competitive renewable energy resources. This flexibility enhances their potential for international growth and large-scale deployment.
The platform’s design will enable it to operate in open waters, where renewable energy resources are plentiful. The project will help meet the rising demand for green ammonia as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in sectors like shipping and industry.
The project will also support the hydrogen economy. Green ammonia is an effective hydrogen carrier, enabling easier storage and transportation over long distances. This capability will be vital for scaling up hydrogen production and use globally.
SwitcH2 and CorPower Ocean’s collaboration is significant in renewable energy innovation. The partnership combines two emerging technologies, wave energy and green ammonia production, to create a sustainable energy solution. With funding from CorPower Ocean and progress already made, the future looks promising for wave energy and green ammonia production.
The project could have broader implications for the global energy market. It shows how wave energy can meet growing industrial energy demands. It could lead to more large-scale floating renewable energy platforms worldwide, supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources.
In conclusion, the SwitcH2-CorPower Ocean partnership aims to advance green ammonia production using wave energy, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy and decarbonisation.