Qatar lays the foundation stone for the world’s largest blue ammonia production plant economy

Today, Tuesday, the State of Qatar laid the foundation stone for the blue ammonia factory project in Mesaieed Industrial City, located south of the capital, Doha. The factory’s production capacity is 1.2 million tons annually, and it will enter production in the second quarter of 2026.

During the ceremony, which was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir of Qatar, the importance of the promising project and Qatar’s entry into the field of sustainable energy was reviewed.

Blue ammonia is produced when carbon dioxide emitted during conventional ammonia production is captured and stored. Blue ammonia, which can be transported using conventional ships, can then be used in power plants to produce low-carbon electricity.

Signing agreements

Qatar Energy Company for Renewable Solutions and Qatar Chemical Fertilizer Company (QAFCO), two companies affiliated with Qatar Energy, signed agreements to build the ammonia project on June 7, worth 4.4 billion riyals ($1.2 billion). The project is the first and largest blue ammonia project in the world.

Under the terms of the agreements, Qatar Energy Renewable Solutions will develop and manage integrated carbon capture and storage facilities capable of capturing and storing about 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, and providing more than 35 megawatts to the plant from electricity generated from solar energy that is currently being generated in the city. Mesaieed Industrial.

The investment in blue ammonia and in expanded carbon dioxide capture and storage facilities is part of the steps Qatar Energy is taking to implement its sustainability strategy.

Pioneering projects

The strategy outlines multiple initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including projects to expand the use of carbon capture and storage technology to capture more than 11 million tons per year of carbon dioxide in Qatar by 2035.

In his speech during the ceremony, Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi said, “This facility consists of a production unit with a capacity of 1.2 million tons annually of ammonia, and a unit for injecting and storing carbon dioxide with a capacity of 1.5 million tons annually. Qatar Energy will work to provide more From 35 megawatts of electricity for the new plant from the solar power station in Mesaieed.

Under the patronage of His Highness the Emir, His Highness the Deputy Emir lays the foundation stone for the blue ammonia factory project, in Mesaieed Industrial City. pic.twitter.com/HmLcK8y8C8

– The Amiri Diwan (@AmiriDiwan) November 26, 2024

Al-Kaabi pointed out, “This large factory will be built based on our capabilities and experience in establishing and operating ammonia factories used in fertilizer production.”

He added that this blue ammonia project will join Qatar’s large and ambitious energy expansion projects inside and outside the State of Qatar, such as liquefied natural gas projects, exploration and development of oil and gas fields, petrochemicals, fertilizers, solar energy, and others.