Hydrogen Transition: Goñi highlighted Fertiberia's extensive experience in hydrogen production, noting their annual consumption of 170,000 tons, accounting for 25-30% of Spain's total usage. "We've been producing hydrogen for 50 years, and hydrogen is one of the best elements for our ammonium fertilizer production today," he said. The company is set to transition from grey to green hydrogen, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2035. This transition includes tackling both direct and indirect emissions, capitalizing on Spain's favorable conditions for hydrogen projects.

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Technological and Commercial Developments: While acknowledging the critical role of technology, Goñi pointed out that the cost competitiveness of electricity sourcing is the major factor in green hydrogen projects. "To have a green hydrogen project that is competitive, you need to address first of all the competitiveness of your electricity sourcing," he said. He compared the potential cost reductions in hydrogen technology to those seen in solar energy. Despite current cost challenges due to inflation, Goñi expressed confidence in future technological advancements and economies of scale.

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Commercialization Challenges: Goñi identified securing offtake agreements as a significant challenge in green hydrogen production. "One of the most difficult areas right now in green hydrogen production is to secure the offtake," he stated. Fertiberia has led initiatives in this area, producing green ammonia and green fertilizers, such as their Impact Zero line (produced with green hydrogen instead of natural gas), which has attracted interest from major consumer goods companies. He stressed the importance of partnerships across the value chain to achieve decarbonization and sustainability goals.

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Future Outlook: Goñi sees green ammonia extending beyond fertilizers to applications like maritime transport. "We see huge interest and already starting things happening in mobility and transportation, particularly in shipping," he said. He anticipates regulatory incentives and technological progress will drive cost reductions and expand the use of green hydrogen and ammonia.

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Collaborations and Partnerships: Emphasizing the importance of consortiums and clusters, Goñi said cooperation among stakeholders in the green hydrogen value chain is crucial for developing competitive projects. "We need to be able to cooperate with the value chain to develop winning solutions," he noted. He highlighted the need for integrated efforts to establish a robust green hydrogen economy.

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Fertiberia's Vision: Fertiberia aims to become a leader in sustainable fertilizers, using green ammonia to support the decarbonization of European agriculture. "We believe that this transition is a great opportunity for our company," Goñi said. While focusing on their core business, they remain open to exploring new opportunities in green ammonia applications.