In a major step toward India’s clean energy transition, Belgian industrial giant John Cockerill has partnered with Indian renewables firm AM Green to establish the country’s largest green ammonia project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The venture is part of a broader national push under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and aims to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen and its derivatives.

The project involves the installation of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of pressurized alkaline electrolyzers, supplied by John Cockerill, to produce green hydrogen using renewable energy. The hydrogen will be converted into green ammonia, with the Kakinada facility targeting an initial output of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2026. AM Green’s national roadmap includes a total of 5 MTPA of green ammonia production by 2030.

A key component of the initiative is the development of India’s largest electrolyzer manufacturing facility, with an annual production capacity of 2 GW, also located in Kakinada. The facility will support both domestic demand and global exports.

The project will be powered by round-the-clock renewable energy, including solar, wind, and pumped hydro storage, ensuring continuous and cost-efficient hydrogen production. It has already received CertifHy pre-certification, making it compliant with the European Union’s RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) criteria.

Engineering and construction responsibilities have been awarded to Rely, a joint venture between John Cockerill and Technip Energies, which will oversee the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the project. The facility will feature two ammonia synthesis trains, each capable of producing 1,500 tonnes of green ammonia per day.

The strategic significance of the project is substantial. Once fully operational, it will account for nearly 20% of India’s green hydrogen target under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and roughly 10% of Europe’s projected green hydrogen import demand by 2030. Several international companies, including Yara, BASF, and Uniper, have already signed offtake agreements for future supply.

In a notable diplomatic endorsement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while addressing a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, highlighted the Kakinada project as a symbol of India’s growing role in global energy transformation.

“This collaboration between AM Green and John Cockerill is a powerful example of how India is building sustainable partnerships that contribute to both national and international climate goals,” said Jaishankar.

Industry leaders also emphasized the project’s broader impact.
Anil Chalamalasetty, Chairman of AM Green, said the partnership will “set a benchmark for the green hydrogen economy and strengthen India’s position as a global hub for low-cost green molecules.”
François Michel, CEO of John Cockerill, described it as “a defining project that will accelerate green hydrogen adoption across Asia and Europe.”

With groundwork already underway, green ammonia production at the Kakinada facility is expected to begin by late 2026, with expansion plans continuing into the next decade.