NH3 Clean Energy, previously Hexagon Energy Materials, said Linde’s engineering arm would progress engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) plans for its 650,000-tonne-per-year WAH2 clean ammonia project in Western Australia.

But the scope of Linde’s involvement could extend further. Linde will also review a “range” of commercial and delivery models for the project, including EPC, build-own-operate, and operations and maintenance (O&M).

NH3 said the build-own-operate and O&M options would reduce its capital commitments to the development and its exposure to construction risk.

Under such models,  Linde could finance, construct, commission, operate, and maintain elements of the plant – most likely hydrogen production, air separation and carbon capture.

The project developer said it would still own and manage the business, including carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage, infrastructure agreements, and ammonia production.

The WAH2 facility plans to export ammonia to the Asian power generation market. NH3 has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pilbara Ports to explore exporting ammonia from the Port of Dampier.

It’s also working with Australian Gas Infrastructure Group to develop and fund a CO2 transmission pipeline to connect the project with third-party sequestration projects.

To date, no offtakers have been announced. However, countries like Japan and South Korea are holding tenders to secure supplies of clean ammonia to co-fire in power plants.