Unigel announced this Monday (25) plans to build a green hydrogen factory in the industrial hub of Camaçari, Bahia, with an initial investment of US$ 120 million (almost R$ 650 million).
The plant for the fuel produced from renewable electricity should start operating by the end of 2023 and will be one of the largest in operation in the world, according to Unigel.
The first phase of the project foresees a production capacity of 10 thousand tons per year of green hydrogen and 60 thousand tons per year of green ammonia.
The electrolysis process for the production of hydrogen will be carried out in equipment from the German thyssenkrupp nucera, totaling 60 megawatts (MW).
The chemical group did not specify where the renewable energy to produce the fuel will come from, but stressed that it already has agreements on wind power generation with Casa dos Ventos.
The green hydrogen and ammonia produced in Camaçari will be offered to customers who can use it to decarbonize their operations, Unigel said.
Green hydrogen is emerging as an important alternative fuel in the process of energy transition and combating climate change, as it has the potential to reduce the emission of polluting gases from the transport, steel, chemical and electricity generation sectors.
In a second phase of the Camaçari project, scheduled to come on stream by 2025, Unigel expects to quadruple the production of green hydrogen and ammonia. The investment for expansion was not disclosed.
Unigel’s CEO, Roberto Noronha Santos, said in a note that the company is focused on investments that allow the decarbonization of its operations and also contributing with solutions for the industry.
“Given the potential of Brazil in the generation of wind and solar energy, Unigel believes that the country has a great opportunity to be a reference for the world in green hydrogen.”
Green ammonia can also be used to strengthen Unigel’s sustainable product portfolio, as it is a raw material in the manufacture of fertilizers and acrylics, segments in which Unigel operates.
Green hydrogen has become the focus of several projects by large companies in Brazil in recent years, mainly on an experimental basis, since the technology for producing and transporting the fuel is not yet 100% consolidated.
In recent months, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) signed a pre-contract to develop a plant in Pecém (CE) and Shell closed a deal for a project in Porto do Açu (RJ).
I have over 8 years of experience in the news industry. I have worked for various news websites and have also written for a few news agencies. I mostly cover healthcare news, but I am also interested in other topics such as politics, business, and entertainment. In my free time, I enjoy writing fiction and spending time with my family and friends.
