Name of the Project
Coega green ammonia project.

Location
Coega Special Economic Zone, alongside the Port of Ngqura, in Gqeberha, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.

Project Owner/s
Hive Hydrogen South Africa.

BuiltAfrica owns 25% of Hive Hydrogen South Africa and the UK’s Hive Energy (75%). 

Project Description
The project aims to establish a green ammonia plant producing more than one-million tonnes a year, with its own dedicated power supply, for export to Japan, Korea and Europe.

The Coega project will have a Haber-Bosch Ammonia loop producing 1 000 000 t/y, a 1 120 MW of green hydrogen electrolyser, up to four 35 000 t ammonia storage tanks and a 7 km cryogenic ammonia pipeline linking the plant to the deep-water export berth in the Port of Ngqura.

The project development will also enable other independent power producers (IPPs) in the Beaufort West area to connect their power generation assets to the grid.

The project has full environmental approval.

Potential Job Creation
The project will create more than 20 000 jobs.

Capital Expenditure
$5.8-billion (R105-billion).

Planned Start/End Date
Output of green ammonia from the new facility could start in 2029.

Latest Developments
The project has reached another milestone – the permitting of a 1 430 MW solar PV cluster development phase that will supply 40% of the power required by the green-hydrogen-linked project.

Following an objection-free environmental-impact assessment for 1 230 MW of solar in May 2024, a supplementary 200 MW was confirmed, along with the required combined permits, authorisations, clearances and consents.

Conclusion of the latest solar cluster phase keeps project development “firmly on track to achieve commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2029”, Hive Hydrogen South Africa chairperson Thulani Gcabashe has said.

Besides the 1 430 MW of solar PV, also detailed are two wind clusters with a combined 1 880 MW potential. 

Gcabashe has said the project’s solar development phase has been strongly supported by the South African government through the Strategic Integrated Projects team, “who have assisted us throughout the extensive consent and permitting processes necessary and we are very thankful for their diligence, dedication and backing”. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Genesis Eco-Energy (wind generation) and Hive Hydrogen; Akuo Energy Afrique; Africoast Investments and Golden Sunshine Trading (Crossroads Green Energy cluster).

Contact Details for Project Information
Hive Energy, tel +44 1794 324 343 or email info@hiveenergy.co.uk.