Opposition to Castellón’s Green Ammonia Plant: A Community Divided
A major green ammonia plant proposed for the industrial zone of El Serrallo, nestled between Almassora and the Grau de Castellón, has ignited fierce opposition among local residents, environmental advocates, and political factions. Spearheaded by Armonia Green Castellón, SL—a subsidiary of the Spanish group Ignis, in partnership with the US-based KKR fund—the project aims to produce over 500,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, primarily for export. However, the scale of the initiative has raised significant concerns regarding safety, environmental impact, and the lack of direct benefits for the local economy.
The Heart of the Opposition
The opposition has coalesced under the platform No Armonia Green, which is racing against the clock to submit technical objections to the regional Ministry of Environment before the July 13 deadline. Compromís, a regional political party, has joined the fray, urging the Almassora council to formally oppose the plant. According to company data, the facility would occupy a staggering 200,000 square meters and require an investment of €1.656 billion, with production slated to commence between 2025 and 2033. Despite numerous requests for comment, Ignis has remained silent on the matter.
Safety Concerns and Environmental Risks
Supporters of the green ammonia plant argue that it could position Castellón as a pivotal energy hub and contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions by 1.2 million tonnes. However, critics highlight the potential dangers associated with handling a highly toxic substance, particularly given that all ammonia produced will be shipped to northern Europe. Local industries, especially the ceramics sector, stand to gain little from the ammonia, which is essential for their own decarbonization efforts.
Technical reports from local authorities have bolstered these concerns. The Almassora council has called for ongoing monitoring of noise and odors, emphasizing the cumulative impact in an already congested industrial area. The Castellón city council has raised alarms about a potential ‘domino effect’—where an incident at one facility could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction across the industrial zone, which already houses high-risk installations like the BP refinery and various chemical plants.
The Environmental Perspective
Environmental groups have made it clear that their opposition is not against ammonia production or the broader goals of decarbonization. Instead, they are concerned about the scale and location of this specific project. The proposed facility would feature two massive storage tanks, each with a combined capacity of 56,000 tonnes of ammonia. In the event of a major accident, a toxic cloud could threaten urban areas within a four-kilometer radius. Critics have also pointed out that safety and self-protection plans have not been made public, raising further concerns about the transport routes for ammonia to the port, which could jeopardize nearby facilities.
A report from the Generalitat’s Agency for Security and Emergencies, dated July 2025, found the company’s safety measures inadequate to mitigate the risks associated with a potential accident. The agency has called for a redesign of the project to incorporate additional safety measures for the surrounding population.
Economic Implications
Another contentious issue is the fact that all ammonia produced will be exported, with no supply directed to local industries. Environmentalists argue that Castellón will bear the environmental and industrial risks without reaping any direct benefits from the energy transition. The project is projected to create only around 100 permanent jobs, raising questions about its social return given the substantial investment involved.
Scrutiny of ‘Green’ Credentials
The plant’s ‘green’ credentials are also under scrutiny. It is estimated that the facility would require up to 850 megawatts of power—approximately a quarter of the annual electricity consumption of the entire Valencian Community—and would consume five million cubic meters of desalinated seawater each year. While the company claims that all energy will come from renewable sources, critics argue that the plant may occasionally rely on gas-fired power. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of discharging four million cubic meters of brine and industrial wastewater into the port, which could adversely affect marine ecosystems and nearby protected areas.
A Call for Sensible Planning
Opponents emphasize their support for renewable energy but advocate for more sensible planning regarding the size and location of such projects. They cite BP’s smaller-scale, locally focused hydrogen project as a more appropriate model. The promoters of the Castellón plant had previously considered other locations, such as Tarragona and Sagunto, but ultimately settled on El Serrallo. The current mobilization aims to raise public awareness about the risks and consequences of the project, challenging the notion that an environmental label alone justifies large-scale industrial developments in the region.
The Bigger Picture
In the broader context, green ammonia is increasingly recognized as a key player in the global push for decarbonization, particularly in sectors like shipping and heavy industry. Spain, with its abundant renewable energy resources and strategic ports, is positioning itself as a future exporter of green fuels. However, as the Castellón case illustrates, local acceptance and integration with existing industries remain critical challenges for such ambitious projects.
