Expression of Interest for Pre-Feasibility Study for the 70 Kilo-Tons Per Annum (KTPA) Green Ammonia Project in Dhulet, Mp Assignment Overview: Assignment Title: Pre-feasibility study for the 70 kilo-tons per annum (KTPA) Green Ammonia Project in Dhulet, Madhya Pradesh, India. Assignment Countries: India Brief Assignment Description: Indias National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) sets an ambitious target of establishing 5 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) equivalent of green hydrogen production capacity in India by 2030. NTPC Limited is one of the most active players in this space. NTPC, through its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), proposes to develop a 70 kilotons per annum (KTPA) green ammonia plant in Dhulet, Madhya Pradesh, on 40 acres of land, with an estimated investment of INR 1,400 crore. This plant will require round-the-clock supply from 110 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generation. NGEL won this bid under the green ammonia auctions conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI). The off-taker for the green ammonia is M/s Krishna Phoschem Limited in Meghnagar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), at a discovered tariff of INR 51.80/kg of green ammonia. At the request of the Government of India (GoI), the World Bank has already supported NGHM through a two-phased US$3 billion low-carbon energy programmatic development policy lending operation to deepen the policy and regulatory ecosystem around green hydrogen. As part of further deepening the market for green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia, engagement with NGEL will be an important step. This is particularly important because the lack of experience in deploying several of these technologies at scale, both in India and globally, is considered a major constraint by various developers, financiers, and other stakeholders. The World Bank will support NGEL in exploring the development of various green hydrogen initiatives, including the proposed project in MP. The World Bank intends to hire a consulting firm, or a consortium, to support this assignment. The key objective of the assignment is to conduct due diligence on the 70 KTPA green ammonia project in MP and prepare its pre-feasibility report (PFR). The assignment is targeted for full delivery in the Banks FY2027. Assignment Description: The Consultant needs to ensure that the PFR includes the following details to support the bankability of the green ammonia project. The broad scope of work includes the following key areas: 1. Site Due Diligence a. Review site land type, ownership, suitability, topography, natural disaster risks, connectivity, power interconnection, water availability, geotechnical conditions, and raw material/feedstock access. Collect missing data from primary sources. b. Use the findings to prepare the site master plan and equipment layout and inform design decisions for project components (including process plant, civil work, admin buildings, roads, residential blocks etc). 2. Optimal Sizing and Details of Utilities a. Identify sustainable raw water sources, conceptual sizing of the water treatment plant, and integrate effluent treatment plant with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems. b. Optimal techno-commercial sizing of the plant components including Sizing of ammonia plant considering the supply obligations, hydrogen generation & storage, ammonia storage etc. c. Assess electrical utilities comprising 220 kV receiving substation including transmission line, high tension (HT) switchgear, internal distribution, and emergency power. d. Assess water supply security and access agreement requirements. e. Assess ammonia storage options and recommend safe, techno-commercially optimal solutions compliant with Indian and international standards, including IS codes, IEC, and IIAR. f. Assess other utility needscompressed air, demineralized water, service water, fire water, chilled and cooling waterfor hydrogen, nitrogen, and ammonia production based on RE. 3. Technical Due Diligence a. Renewable Energy (RE) Supply Options: Assessing the RE supply sources (to be arranged by NGEL) and comprehensive analysis of RE options for inclusion of Energy Storage System (ESS) or hydrogen storage to achieve an optimum plant configuration. Long duration ESS must also be assessed. b. Assessing the electrolyser technology provider scope ( to be arranged by NGEL) and determination of the interface requirements. c. Nitrogen and Ammonia Synthesis: Assess Air Separation Units (ASU) for nitrogen supply, and define Haber-Bosch loop, refrigeration, and on-site ammonia storage design parameters. d. Screen and prepare a high-level shortlist of ammonia synthesis loop licensors for project suitability and RE integration; draft a standard document for selection of the EPC contractor with the selected ammonia technology licensor and customize it for the MP project. e. Logistics Plan: techno-commercial assessment of transport infrastructure (including road, and pipeline options), optimal routing, fleet frequency, pipeline sizing, and compliance with Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and hazardous goods requirements for green ammonia delivery. f. Assess oxygen monetisation, including its regional market availability and handling, storage, and transport needs. 4. Environmental and Social Screening a. Screen the site, green ammonia plant, associated infrastructure, and logistics plan against Indian statutory requirements and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including waste management, community impacts, and other relevant aspects. b. Develop core safety protocols, including preliminary Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) screening, Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for ammonia storage and handling, Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessment, and onsite/offsite emergency preparedness plans Disaster Management Plan. 5. Operational Strategy and Maintenance a. Develop the plant and infrastructure operating philosophy. b. Define organization structure and skilled/unskilled manpower needs for operations and maintenance (O&M). c. Recommend control philosophy, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), automation, and digital twin options for predictive maintenance. d. Define interface management for effective stakeholder coordination. 6. Financial & Economic Analysis a. Develop a dynamic, bankable financial model with capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) estimates. b. Calculate the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and Levelized Cost of Ammonia (LCOA). c. Conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis on key variables, including carbon credits and sale of ammonia beyond the offtake contract period of 10 years. 7. Regulatory & Policy Framework a. Map mandatory central and state (MP) statutory clearances and permits. b. Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and safety standards. c. Assess the project under green ammonia certification under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) requirements to meet Indias 0.38 tCO2e/tNH3 threshold. 8. Comprehensive Risk Assessment a. Develop a risk matrix covering technical, commercial, domestic/global supply chain, and regulatory risks, including for 100 MW alkaline electrolysers. b. Conduct a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) risk assessment covering technology guarantees, construction/commissioning risks, cost overruns, owners engineer support, and procurement risks aligned with tender timelines. c. Recommend actionable mitigation measures, contingency plans, and risk allocation frameworks. Qualifications of the Consultant: The consulting firm (or consortium) should have: 1. Demonstrated capability to design, through Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) or pre-FEED preparation, and/or execute at least one green hydrogen-based project. Experience in a project that has achieved Final Investment Decision (FID) is desirable. 2. Demonstrated capability to design, through DPR preparation, and/or execute at least one ammonia project. Experience in an operational ammonia project is desirable. 3. Demonstrated experience of supporting companies in obtaining Indian regulatory approvals for large-scale energy and/or chemical projects. 4. Demonstrated experience in undertaking financial and economic analysis of large-scale renewable energy RTC and chemical projects. Individual / Firm Profile: The consultant will be a firm. Submission Requirements: The World Bank Group now invites eligible firms to express their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services, including brochures, descriptions of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate skills among staff. Please note that a single PDF file of not more than 50 pages should be submitted, and the total file size should be less than 5 MB. Consultants may associate with others to enhance their qualifications. Notes: Following this invitation for Expressions of Interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding. Only shortlisted firms will receive notification. No debrief will be provided to firms that are not shortlisted. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/7052/view.html
