First Ammonia, a leading U.S.-based ammonia plant developer, has awarded the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for its flagship green ammonia production facility in Victoria, Texas, to Australian engineering and professional services firm Worley. This major milestone marks a significant step forward in the development of one of the most advanced green ammonia plants in the United States. The FEED study is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025, with construction slated to begin later that year. Once operational in 2027, the plant will play a crucial role in the transition to cleaner energy solutions for industrial applications.

The facility is designed to produce 300 metric tonnes of electric ammonia per day using solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technology for hydrogen production. This advanced approach is expected to revolutionize energy efficiency in ammonia production, consuming 30% less energy than conventional electrolyzers. The adoption of SOEC technology reinforces First Ammonia’s commitment to driving innovation in clean energy and reducing carbon emissions across hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, transportation fuels, and power generation.

Marc Van Den Boom, Senior Vice President of Gulf Coast Operations at Worley, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with First Ammonia on this groundbreaking initiative. The Victoria facility represents a significant step toward decarbonizing global energy systems, and we are eager to leverage our expertise to support its success.”

Joel Moser, CEO of First Ammonia, highlighted Worley’s industry experience and key partnerships as critical factors in the selection: “Worley’s strong relationship with Topsoe, our technology licensor, combined with their deep expertise in Gulf Coast infrastructure, makes them an ideal partner for this project. The transition to clean ammonia is essential for reducing emissions in industries that are traditionally difficult to decarbonize. Worley’s capabilities will enable us to scale production efficiently and accelerate the adoption of decentralized, electric ammonia solutions.”

This latest contract follows First Ammonia’s October 2024 agreement with Danish technology leader Topsoe, which supplied the first solid oxide electrolyzers for the Texas facility. As part of the deal, Topsoe has begun manufacturing the first 100 MW SOEC modules at its newly established factory in Herning, Denmark.

Kim Hedegaard, CEO of Power-to-X at Topsoe, emphasized the transformative impact of the project: “The Port of Victoria green ammonia facility is a game-changer for energy-intensive industries, particularly long-distance transportation and maritime shipping. We are grateful for First Ammonia’s trust in our technology and look forward to helping drive the global shift toward sustainable energy.”

With its advanced electrolyzer technology and strategic partnerships, the Texas ammonia facility is set to become a benchmark for green ammonia production, reinforcing the critical role of clean hydrogen and ammonia in the global transition to a low-carbon economy.