Coega Green Ammonia Project Awards Plant Design Contract

What happened

On 16 September 2026, Hive Hydrogen South Africa awarded Técnicas Reunidas the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for its planned Coega green ammonia plant. The contractor said the design covers electrolysers, air separation, ammonia production, desalination, storage, and pipelines to the Port of Ngqura.

The plant targets about one million tonnes of green ammonia a year for domestic and export markets. This is a design target, not current output. South Africa had named Coega in its first group of green hydrogen projects on 15 September.

Why it matters

The award gives Coega a named contractor for the production and export systems. It makes the next technical and cost checks more concrete. It does not settle the project's financing or show that buyers have agreed to take the ammonia.

What changes for producers, buyers, and certifiers

The producer can use FEED to define plant systems and test costs before asking for final investment approval.
Buyers can ask how the planned export chain will track each ammonia lot from production to the port. They should not treat planned volume as contracted supply.
Certifiers can flag evidence needs while the design is still open. Power records, hydrogen production, synthesis, storage, and custody will need a traceable MRV plan.

HyGOAT implication

Screen should mark Coega as a FEED-stage project, not an FID-stage supplier. Certification readiness and export readiness depend on the buyer's market rules and a working evidence chain. The public announcement does not establish RFNBO status or any other product certificate.

Risks and caveats

Técnicas Reunidas says a later construction contract depends on successful FEED, technical and commercial results, approvals, financing, and final investment decision. Its announcement does not name an offtaker or certification scheme. The planned annual output may change as the project advances.

Sources

Técnicas Reunidas: Coega FEED award — 16 September 2026.
South African Department of Electricity and Energy: First Wave — 15 September 2026.