Fortescue, Qair expand green H2 plans for Brazil
Australia's Fortescue and France's Qair are expanding Brazil green hydrogen plans with new initiatives in the Brazilian port of Pecem.
The new proposals bring total potential investment in Brazil's emerging green hydrogen sector to $22bn across various companies and ports.
Fortescue signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ceara state government to invest $6bn in a production facility to begin operating in 2025. The company said that the renewable energy potential and strategic location of the port contributed to its investment decision.
Earlier this week, Qair announced a $6.95bn investment in a new 1.21GW offshore wind complex to energize a 2.24GW electrolysis plant for the production of 296,000 mt/yr of green hydrogen.
Both companies had already announced green hydrogen investments elsewhere Brazil. In March, Fortescue and Brazil's Prumo Logistica said they will conduct feasibility studies to develop solar and offshore wind farms to power a 300MW electrolyzer and related installations to produce 250,000 t/yr of green ammonia at Acu port in Rio de Janeiro state.
In June, Qair said it will study the feasibility of a $3.8bn green hydrogen complex at Suape port in Pernambuco state.
Another Australian firm, Enegix, announced plans in March to invest ($5.4bn) in a green hydrogen project in Ceara.
Related news posts
Japanese bank Mizuho boosts support for H2, ammonia
Japanese bank Mizuho boosts support for H2, ammonia
Tokyo, 17 May (Argus) — Japanese bank Mizuho Financial aims to provide ¥2 trillion ($12.8bn) in financial support for domestic and overseas cleaner fuel projects by 2030 to support Japan's plan to build a hydrogen supply chain. Private-sector Mizuho is offering financing to low-carbon hydrogen, ammonia and e-methane projects related to production, import, distribution and development of hydrogen carriers. Mizuho said it has in the past offered project financing for large-scale overseas low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing projects, as well as transition loans. Japan is focusing on cleaner fuel use in the power sector and hard-to-abate industries, as part of its drive to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Japanese firms are getting involved in overseas hydrogen projects because domestic production is bound to be comparatively small and costly. They are looking to co-fire ammonia at coal-fired power generation plants to cut CO2 emissions and examining use of the fuel as a hydrogen carrier . Japanese companies have also partnered with several overseas firms on e-methane. Mizuho has to date offered $1bn for cleaner fuel projects. The bank has set a goal to accelerate the setting up of a clean fuel supply chain by addressing the financial challenge faced by projects requiring large investments. Mizuho has attempted to help Japan's decarbonisation push by tightening biomass and coal financing policies. Mizuho has also stopped investing in new coal-fired power projects, including existing plant expansions. The bank has a plan to reduce the ¥300bn credit available for coal-fired power development projects by half by the April 2030-March 2031 fiscal year and to zero by 2040-41. By Nanami Oki Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Japan’s Jera to handle 35mn t/yr LNG until FY2035-36
Japan’s Jera to handle 35mn t/yr LNG until FY2035-36
Osaka, 17 May (Argus) — Japan's largest LNG importer Jera plans to maintain its LNG handling volumes at no less than 35mn t/yr until the April 2035-March 2036 fiscal year. Rising renewable power supplies and the possible return of more nuclear reactors are likely to pressure LNG demand from Japan's power sector. Jera consumed 23mn t of LNG in 2023-24, down by 3pc on the year, although it handled 35mn t through its global operations during the same year. But Jera needs to secure sufficient LNG supplies to adjust for imbalances in electricity supplies and ensure power security, through more flexible operations. It is also looking to further promote LNG along with renewable electricity in Asian countries, while helping to reduce their dependence on coal- and oil-fired power generators. The 2035 target for LNG is part of Jera's three pillars of strategic focus, along with renewables as well as hydrogen and ammonia , which was announced on 16 May to spur decarbonisation towards its 2050 net zero emissions goal. The company plans to invest ¥5 trillion ($32bn) for these three areas over 2024-36. Jera also aims to retire all supercritical or less efficient coal-fired units by 2030-31 . This would help achieve the company's target of cutting CO2 emissions from its domestic business by at least 60pc against 2013-14 levels by 2035-36. By Motoko Hasegawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Biomass start-ups lift Japan's Renova April power sales
Biomass start-ups lift Japan's Renova April power sales
Tokyo, 17 May (Argus) — Japanese renewable power developer Renova's electricity sales doubled on the year in April, following the start-up of three biomass power plants in the past six months. Renova sold 199,601MWh of electricity — including solar, biomass and geothermal — in April, double the 99,857MWh a year earlier, the company announced on 13 May. The 75MW Sendai Gamo plant in northeastern Miyagi prefecture started operations in November 2023 and produced 40,753MWh in April. The 74.8MW Tokushima Tsuda plant in western Tokushima prefecture, which was commissioned in December 2023, generated 10,870MWh in April. The 75MW Ishinomaki Hibarino plant in Miyagi began normal runs in March and supplied 49,495MWh in April. Renova plans to add 124.9MW biomass-fired capacity in the April 2024-March 2025 fiscal year, with the 75MW Omaezaki plant in central Shizuoka city scheduled to begin commercial operations in July, followed by the 49.9MW Karatsu plant in southern Saga city in December. Omaezaki is currently conducting trial runs and Karatsu is under construction. The additions will increase Renova's biomass-fired capacity to 445MW. By Takeshi Maeda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
New Dutch government to cut funds for green H2
New Dutch government to cut funds for green H2
Hamburg, 16 May (Argus) — The Netherlands' new government could reduce the budget of the country's climate fund by €1.2bn, primarily through cuts to renewable hydrogen support measures. Four parties announced an agreement to form a coalition government on 16 May and outlined broad policy measures. The agreement includes a "budget supplement" which foresees the climate fund's budget being cut by €300mn in each of the next four years compared with existing plans. This will be achieved by cutting funds available for the development of batteries and renewable hydrogen "in proportion to the current budget", according to the text. The majority of the cuts could be for renewable hydrogen given that the earmarked budget for this was much larger than for battery-related projects. Around €9bn of the fund's €35bn budget was set aside for renewable hydrogen support measures, with the bulk to go towards subsidising production projects . The coalition agreement was reached between the far-right PVV, the centre-right VDD party of outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte, the centre-right NSC, which was formed just shortly before the election last November, and the farmer's citizen movement BBB. The PVV, led by Geert Wilders, won most seats in the election but had to tone down some of the demands and promises from its election manifesto during the negotiations. In its manifesto, the PVV had pledged to abolish the climate fund entirely , saying that climate policies should "go straight through the shredder". The parties have retained a general commitment to support renewable hydrogen through the climate fund and note that low-carbon hydrogen made from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be used as a "transitional step" towards reducing emissions "if necessary". The agreement also says a planned increase in the national CO2 tax will be scrapped and outlines plans to open new nuclear power plants. The four parties have yet to decide on who will become the new prime minister. By Stefan Krumpelmann Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more