Yara International has officially opened its renewable hydrogen plant at Herøya, Norway, marking a significant step forward in the production of renewable hydrogen and ammonia. The company has already begun delivering the first tonnes of fertilizers made from this renewable ammonia. “This is a major milestone for Yara and for the decarbonization of the food value chain, shipping fuel, and other energy-intensive industries,” stated Svein Tore Holsether, President & CEO of Yara.
The inauguration of the 24 MW plant, the largest of its kind in Europe, was conducted by the Norwegian Prime Minister, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, at Herøya Industrial Park. Utilizing electrolysis powered by renewable energy, the plant replaces natural gas and is expected to cut 41,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually from the site.
“This groundbreaking project aligns with our mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet,” Holsether expressed. He extended his gratitude towards the Yara employees for their relentless effort, Enova for project support, and partners and pioneering customers like Lantmännen. This collaboration exemplifies the necessity of cross-sector partnerships to decarbonize effectively.
The produced low-carbon footprint fertilizers have been integrated into Yara’s new product line, Yara Climate Choice, contributing to sustainable agriculture and the broader goal of reducing climate impact. The portfolio will soon include fertilizers derived from low-carbon ammonia, utilizing carbon capture storage (CCS) technology.
Hans Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, highlighted the strategic role of renewable ammonia in decarbonization, mentioning ongoing efforts to produce low-carbon ammonia with CCS as 2030 approaches. Yara is also part of the world’s first cross-border CCS agreement with Northern Lights, aiming to significantly reduce its annual CO2 emissions.
“The urgent need to meet the Paris Agreement targets calls for rapid, profitable decarbonization strategies like CCS,” Holsether noted, emphasizing that investments, technological advancements, and a mature market are essential for the green transition. Yara’s commitment to reducing emissions by 45% since 2005, combined with its strategy for delivering decarbonized solutions, positions it uniquely to lead in the industry and benefit stakeholders globally.
The renewable hydrogen produced at Yara’s new facility is not only pivotal for fertilizer production but also holds potential as a shipping fuel and an efficient energy carrier, underscoring the versatile role of ammonia in the global energy landscape.
