Chinese firm plans Ethiopia ammonia and hydrogen plant

China’s GCL is planning to produce ammonia from the natural gas fields it is developing in Ethiopia

China’s GCL is planning to produce ammonia from the natural gas fields it has been developing in Ethiopia, Reuters has reported.

GCL is also planning to develop infrastructure to turn the ammonia into 2.5 million tonnes of liquid hydrogen, the firm’s founder has revealed.

GCL is planning to develop a 4 million tonnes per annum ammonia factory in neighbouring East African country Djibouti.

The output of the plant would be shipped elsewhere to be converted into liquid hydrogen.

GCL was awarded deals by the Ethiopian government in 2013 to develop eight blocks two gas fields, Club and Hilala.

The fields are expected to churn out 3.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year in the first phase. The natural gas will support the production of 10 million tonnes of hydrogen per annum for 40 years.

GCL did not disclose the investment or timeframe of the Ethiopian project, but said it planned for production of liquid hydrogen to reach 700,000 tonnes in the first phase.

GCL is one of China’s largest polycrystalline and solar products manufacturers. The group is planning to develop hydrogen facilities with a production capacity of up to 400,000 tonnes in northwest China by 2025.