China's GCL plans Ethiopian ammonia plant and hydrogen facilities (updated)

Dynasty Digital Holdings

29/07/2021 12:52

(Add detail, background)
    By Muyu Xu and Shivani Singh
    BEIJING, July 29 (Reuters) - Chinese solar panel maker GCL
Group plans a plant in Ethiopia to make ammonia using the
natural gas produced from fields it has been developing under a
deal with the local government, the company said on Thursday.
    GCL, which is diversifying its business by exploring new
energy sources, will also set up facilities with the capacity to
turn the ammonia into some 2.5 million tonnes of liquid
hydrogen, its founder said.
    The company's plans envisage a 4 million tonnes per annum
ammonia factory in Djibouti, whose output would be shipped
elsewhere to be used to make the liquid hydrogen.
    Such a process has green credentials because ammonia is
easier to store and transport than hydrogen, while the latter
gas is a contender in some applications as an energy source. 
    GCL sealed a deal with the Ethiopian government in 2013 to
develop two gas fields, Calub and Hilala, and to carry out
exploration at eight blocks.
    The fields are expected to churn out 3.5 billion cubic
metres of natural gas per year in the first phase, which would
ultimately support the production of 10 million tonnes of
hydrogen per annum for 40 years, GCL said.
    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.
    "We are re-locating ourselves and focusing on a new racing
track," said GCL Chairman Zhu Gongshan at the sidelines of a
launching ceremony of the hydrogen project on Thursday.
    GCL, one of China's biggest polycrystalline producers, solar
products manufacturers and once a major solar power station
operator, started the sale of its solar station assets in 2018
and expects the process to complete by early next year.
    "The deals of selling solar stations are expected to
complete by the first quarter in 2022, and then we will focus on
the hydrogen business," said Zhu.
    The hydrogen projects would be handled by GCL's subsidiary,
GCL New Energy Holdings  0451.HK .
    GCL also plans to build 400,000 tonnes of hydrogen
production capacity from renewable power sources, mainly solar
power stations in northwestern China, by 2025.
    It aims to supply the hydrogen to industrial users,
especially steel mills, in northeast Asia.
    "Our hydrogen prices would be very competitive in the
market, so we are not worrying about demand," said Zhu, adding
that GCL looks to facilitate the energy transition at China's
steel mills from burning coal to using hydrogen.
    Top Chinese steel mills, such as China Baowu Group, HBIS and
Jiuquan Iron & Steel, are exploring hydrogen in steelmaking to
help meet China's climate targets.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL2N2OH0G8

 (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Shivani Singh
Editing by Jason Neely and David Holmes)
 ((ShivaniSingh2@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 5669 2115;))