--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260731-western-sahara-green-ammonia-ustda-grant/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # U.S. backs first Western Sahara green ammonia study with $5.7M grant Publication Date: 2026-07-31T17:00:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-07-31T03:03:16-04:00 Author: Timothy Bueno (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/timbueno/) Categories: [Corporate](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/corporate/), [Green & Low-Carbon](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/sustainability/green-low-carbon/), [Investment](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/corporate/investment/), [Sustainability](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/sustainability/) ![U.S. backs first Western Sahara green ammonia study with $5.7M grant](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1785315383449.jpg) The Western Sahara green ammonia plant at Laayoune would draw on more than 2 GW of wind and solar to make 560,000 metric tons a year. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a $5.7 million grant to developer ORNX for early engineering work on a Western Sahara green ammonia project, marking the first US government financing for a private-sector venture in the disputed Moroccan-controlled territory. The grant funds a pre-front-end engineering and design study for the first phase of a facility at Laayoune, according to statements from USTDA and ORNX. The plant is designed to produce roughly 560,000 metric tons of ammonia annually using hydrogen generated from renewable electricity. Total project investment is put at about $4.5 billion. ORNX groups US-based Ortus Climate Mitigation with the Spanish-German joint venture Acciona-Nordex Green Hydrogen. The consortium was among five selected in 2025 under Morocco's state-led green hydrogen program, and signed a land reservation agreement in February 2026. As designed, the integrated platform combines more than 2 GW of wind and photovoltaic generation, battery storage, roughly 900 MW of electrolyzers and seawater desalination. Chief executive Peter Gish called the grant a milestone in advancing the project, saying ORNX would work with USTDA, the US embassy in Rabat and industrial partners to complete development and secure construction financing. The consortium is also weighing projects at Boujdour and Dakhla. The award lands as other export-oriented schemes advance, including a [$4.7 billion green ammonia plant under review in Chile](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260720-green-ammonia-chile-project-seeks-approval-for-4-7-billion-export-plant/). Source: [Middle East Online](https://www.middle-east-online.com/en/us-grant-boosts-moroccos-green-hydrogen-drive-western-sahara) Tags: [Africa](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/africa/), [ammonia](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/ammonia/), [decarbonization](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/decarbonization/), [green ammonia](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/green-ammonia/), [green hydrogen](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/green-hydrogen/), [investment](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/investment/), [Morocco](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/morocco/), [renewable energy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/renewable-energy/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/united-states/), [Western Sahara](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/western-sahara/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.