Casablanca – Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) and Fortescue Energy have announced the creation of a project to develop green energy, green hydrogen, and green ammonia in Morocco. The partnership aims to provide green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green fertilizers in Morocco, Europe, and international markets. It also includes potential development of manufacturing facilities and a research and development center to advance the renewable energy industry in Morocco.

The Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), a Moroccan leading global player in the phosphate industry, is primarily known for its expertise in phosphate mining, phosphate-based fertilizers, and plant nutrition solutions. The company operates across the entire phosphate value chain, from extraction and processing to distribution and marketing, serving agricultural markets worldwide. Fortescue Energy, on the other hand, is a prominent Australian mining company with a diversified portfolio encompassing iron ore, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. Founded by Andrew Forrest in 2003, Fortescue has rapidly grown to become one of the largest iron ore producers globally. In recent years, the company has expanded its focus to include renewable energy projects, particularly in the field of green hydrogen, positioning itself as a key player in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions.

The agreement highlights the two groups shared vision to make Morocco a hub for green energy production and manufacturing, with significant long-term benefits for the Kingdom. The partners have proposed four key projects in Morocco, including integrated production capacity for green ammonia and green fertilizers, renewable energy generation, electrolysis, ammonia synthesis, and fertilizer production. These projects also involve establishing a research and technology center near Mohammed VI University of Science and Technology in Marrakech to enhance the joint project and environmental ecosystem through research in renewable energies, green hydrogen, mineral processing, and collaboration between investment capital funds to stimulate investment in key technological developments.

The partnership aims to provide green hydrogen and green ammonia for use as a source of green energy and in the production of carbon-neutral fertilizers at affordable costs for farmers worldwide. Mustapha Terrab, CEO of OCP, emphasized their commitment to carbon removal and developing advanced facilities and renewable energy, products, and technologies at competitive prices, in alignment with their vision to ensure global food security and combat climate change simultaneously.

Andrew Forrest, founder of Fortescue, expressed their joint commitment to invest in renewable energies, products, and technologies to reduce global emissions. He highlighted Morocco’s role in global energy transition due to its promising wind and solar energy resources, as well as its two maritime borders and proximity to Europe and the Americas. Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Energy Fortescue, emphasized their shared ambitions and the transformative potential of the project in providing energy for the planet, diversifying global energy security, and creating thousands of jobs and industries in Morocco.

The proposed projects will also benefit from the expertise of INNOVX, a multi-sectoral entrepreneurship platform dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable enterprises and contributing to the creation of impactful local ecosystems.

By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, OCP and Fortescue Energy aim to collaborate on projects that advance green energy initiatives, particularly in the areas of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and renewable energy production. This partnership signifies a strategic alignment between two industry leaders with complementary strengths, with the goal of driving sustainable development and addressing global environmental challenges.