Project to produce carbon neutral, green hydrogen as feedstock for Trinidad Nitrogen company

Spanish energy company, Fisterra Energy has announced a big investment in Trinidad’s energy sector through a joint venture partnership with local company, Kenesjay Green Limited (KGL).

While the financial details of the investment have not been disclosed, what is known is that Fisterra will join KGL in developing its first major hydrogen project, NewGen in the twin-island republic. The project is expected to produce carbon neutral and green hydrogen as feedstock for Trinidad Nitrogen Company’s (Tringen) ammonia complex, which is co-owned by Yara Trinidad.

The location for the plant will be at the iconic Pt. Lisas Industrial Estate in Trinidad. Plans are already under way for the NewGen project, which has the potential to be the first and largest standalone commercial hydrogen producing facility in the world.

The project design anticipates a hydrogen production capacity of 27,200 tonnes per year by 2024, which would be sold directly to Tringen. Over the coming months, Fisterra and KGL will work together to finalise the technical and commercial arrangements for the Carbon Neutral & Green Hydrogen plant to be located at Tringen’s ammonia facilities.  

First hydrogen production expected by December 2023

Upon successful execution of aforementioned project agreements, the parties currently anticipate first hydrogen production by December 2023. 

Addressing the new partnership, Pedro Barriuso, Fisterra’s chief executive officer, said his company believes that the NewGen project offers an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as a key contributor to solutions in global energy transition.

“We are confident that Trinidad and Tobago’s long pioneering legacy in hydrocarbon-based industrialisation offers the necessary capabilities and enabling conditions to make this project a success,” Barriuso declared.

He added that, ”Kenesjay Green’s deep understanding of the local business context and natural gas energy experience will complement Fisterra’s own significant expertise in managing and financing large scale power projects”.

For his part, Philip Julien, chairman of Kenesjay Green Limited and managing director of NewGen, recognised the involvement of Fisterra, as an important achievement.

Julien noted that, “the interest of a global investor such as Fisterra affirms our belief in hydrogen’s role in the decarburisation of the energy mix”.

He stated that, “partnering with Fisterra allows us to further deliver on our objective of maintaining Trinidad & Tobago’s competitiveness in the petrochemical sector while reducing our global carbon footprint. With Tringen identified as our first intended customer in Point Lisas, the onboarding of this high-quality investor with experience in renewable projects reinforces our ability to bring the NewGen project to fruition on schedule”.

The NewGen managing director argued that this partnership is further proof that the local energy sector remains fertile ground for world leading investments and serves the national efforts at reducing carbon emissions.  Headquartered in Spain, Fisterra brings over 20 years of technical expertise in successfully developing, constructing, and operating over 30GW of conventional and renewable energy projects in Europe and Latin America.

Fisterra is a portfolio company of funds managed by Blackstone Energy Partners, a part of the global investment firm, Blackstone.