Introduction
In a move that brings together agriculture, renewable energy and industrial innovation, the Kenya Nut Company and TalusAg have commissioned a modular green-ammonia system at the Morendat farm near Naivasha. The facility marks an important proof-point in East Africa’s ambition to build a green-hydrogen economy.
Project specifics
Location: Morendat farm, Naivasha region, Kenya. iamrenew.com+1
Technology: The talusOne system (TalusAg) is powered by a 2.1 MW solar installation and uses water, air, and solar electricity to generate hydrogen and combine it with nitrogen to produce ammonia. PR Newswire+1
Output: Approximately one tonne of green ammonia per day. Energy Connects+1
Emission reduction: Each tonne avoids up to 8 tonnes of CO₂ compared with conventional ammonia production and long-distance transport of fertiliser. PR Newswire+1
Off-take and supply: A 15-year supply agreement between the two companies, fixing price and guaranteeing access to the green ammonia fertiliser. Milling Middle East & Africa+1
Context within Kenyan strategy
Kenya’s Green Hydrogen Strategy & Roadmap sets a target to use the country’s abundant renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) to drive domestic green-hydrogen and derivative production. Green Hydrogen Organisation+1 The guidance includes plans to substitute up to 20 % of ammonia-based fertiliser imports by 2027 via domestic green production. epra.go.ke+1
Implications
Agriculture: Local production of fertiliser reduces dependence on global supply chains, cuts transport costs and logistics vulnerabilities — in Kenya many fertiliser imports travel thousands of kilometres. Energy Connects+1
Energy & industry: Demonstrates an industrial use case for green hydrogen derivatives beyond power generation — a step toward decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors.
Economics & employment: By locating value-addition locally (fertiliser manufacture rather than merely importing raw ammonia) Kenya can capture more economic benefit, build local skills and jobs.
Environment: Emission savings materialise early, while the technology is still at modular scale. Over time, scale-up will tighten the cost curve and the emissions trap door for the fertiliser sector.
Challenges and next steps
Scale: At ~1 tonne/day output this is a pilot/commercial-early plant rather than large-scale industrial. Efforts are needed to increase capacity to tens-or-hundreds of tonnes/day for competitive cost parity. Energy Connects+1
Renewable power availability: Enough clean electricity must be assured so the green ammonia remains truly “green” and doesn’t compete with grid or other priority needs.
Supply chain and market: Ensuring that the fertiliser produced is accepted in the market, meets agronomic standards, and integrates with farmer supply chains.
Policy & financing: While Kenya has published Green Hydrogen Guidelines to streamline investment and incentives, many projects will still require strong financing, partnerships and credible offtakes. epra.go.ke
Conclusion
The Naivasha‐based green-ammonia facility is a tangible milestone: it transitions fertiliser manufacture from fossil-based import dependence toward renewable-driven domestic production. Kenya is positioning itself to leverage its renewable endowment and agricultural value-chain to transform both energy and agriculture sectors. As this project scales and matures, it may serve as a blueprint for other African countries.