Aslan Energy Capital has signed a deal to acquire 35,000 hectors of land in Sonora, Mexico, to develop what it believes to be a first-of-its-kind solar-based green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) takes the Aslan Net Zero Energy Mexico (ANEM) project one step closer to reality. The project will be developed in four phases over a 10-year period and hopes to be operational in 2028.
It is hoped that the first phase will produce nearly 600,000 tonnes of green ammonia per annum. This capacity will be doubled as part of phase two in 2030.
Dr. Gho Wie Min, Vice-President of Engineering at Aslan Energy, said that by leveraging Sonora’s solar resources, the company will be able to produce clean energy and reduce carbon emissions in Mexico.
He added, “This project holds immense potential to transform the energy landscape and drive positive change across multiple sectors, specifically green hydrogen for data centres and transportation. Green ammonia derived from the project delivered strengthened food security while upholding energy self-sufficiency.”
Hydrogen and ammonia produced at the sight will initially serve the domestic market in Mexico, and the excess capacity will then be allocated for export to the US through railways between the two countries.
Potential for export to Japan and other markets through a dedicated ammonia shipping terminal is also under evaluation.
Aslan Energy hopes to start the front-end engineering design in Q3 2024, with the first green ammonia shipment planned for 2028.
The project will support Mexico’s Sonora Plan, which lays out a pathway towards a sustainable and diversified energy future that aligns with Mexico’s national vision of clean energy and climate change.
Announced in August 2022, Mexico’s Sonora Plan has some focus on the development and integration of green hydrogen. This also includes cooperation with the US, a collaboration that was highlighted at the North American Leaders Summit.
