Danish firm GreenGo Energy, in a strategic partnership with German energy company Select Energy, is set to construct a landmark renewable ammonia project in Mauritania. Dubbed “Megaton Moon,” this ambitious initiative will feature massive solar and wind power plants to produce green hydrogen. This hydrogen will then be converted into green ammonia, a versatile compound crucial for producing sustainable fertilizers and serving as a clean marine fuel.
A Strategic Partnership in a Prime Location for Renewable Ammonia Mauritania
The Megaton Moon project, located approximately 20 km south of Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, is a testament to international cooperation in the green energy transition. The collaboration is a significant milestone, marking the first major German involvement in a large-scale Power-to-X (PtX) project in the nation. This aligns perfectly with a broader trend where Mauritania , Germany Partner on Renewable Energy Project initiatives to leverage the African nation’s immense renewable resources.
Mauritania’s unique geography offers exceptional conditions for both solar and wind power generation, making it an ideal hub for producing cost-competitive green fuels. This project is one of several major clean energy investments in the country, including another $300 million hybrid solar-wind power plant, all part of a national strategy to become a leader in renewable energy. The government’s new “Green Hydrogen Code” further supports these efforts, creating a favorable environment for such large-scale developments.
From Desert Sun to Green Ammonia: The Process for Renewable Ammonia Mauritania
The project will be powered entirely by off-grid solar and wind installations. The vast energy generated will drive large-scale electrolyzers, which split desalinated seawater into oxygen and green hydrogen. Understanding the solar panel manufacturing process is key to appreciating the scale required to power such an operation. This green hydrogen is then synthesized with nitrogen from the air to create renewable ammonia (NH3).
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The project’s development is planned in three distinct phases:
- Phase 1 (Target 2031): Aims to produce 355,000 tons of renewable ammonia annually, powered by a 500 MW electrolyzer capacity. The final investment decision is targeted for 2028.
- Phase 2: A significant scaling-up to produce 1.7 million tons per year, with an electrolyzer capacity exceeding 2.5 GW.
- Phase 3: The final phase will push production to a potential 4 million tons per year, solidifying its status as one of the world’s largest green ammonia facilities.
Global Impact and Importance for Germany: Renewable Ammonia Mauritania
For Germany and the wider European market, projects like Megaton Moon are vital. As the continent pushes to decarbonize its economy and reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, importing green hydrogen and its derivatives, like ammonia, is a cornerstone of the strategy. This green ammonia can be transported efficiently and used directly as fuel in the shipping industry or converted back into hydrogen to power heavy industry, helping to secure a stable and sustainable energy supply.
Felix Danger, Managing Director of Select New Energies, highlighted the project’s potential, stating, “Mauritania has excellent conditions for generating wind and solar power – the basis for globally competitive green molecules.”
Karsten Nielsen, CEO of GreenGo Energy, put the project’s scale into a global perspective: “So we only need one hundred projects at this scale completed and distributing green fuels globally by 2050. This is doable.” This vision underscores how the Mauritania renewable energy project is not just a local initiative but a critical piece of the global climate solution.
The Megaton Moon project represents a monumental step forward, showcasing how international partnerships can unlock the potential of renewable resources to create a cleaner, more secure energy future for all.
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