The sunk cost dilemma

Deep into engineering studies for Project Cormorant, 8 Rivers' massive low-carbon ammonia facility, the team discovered new efficiencies that would create a safer, more advanced version of their hydrogen technology. But there was one problem: they'd already invested heavily in the current design.

CEO Damian Beauchamp faced a classic dilemma. Should 8 Rivers stick with their existing approach and avoid the sunk cost fallacy? Or risk everything on a better design, knowing it meant more time, more money, and missed deadlines?

That choice became even more complicated when shifting political winds derailed their anticipated offtake agreement with an investor, forcing 8 Rivers to secure new buyers for most of their planned 900,000 tons of ammonia production.

In this episode, Lara talks with Damian about navigating the sunk cost trap, building relationships with massive turbine manufacturers like Siemens Energy, and how 8 Rivers has survived as one of the few companies successfully deploying large-scale industrial decarbonization projects since 2008.

Credits: Hosted by Lara Pierpoint. Produced by Erin Hardick and Daniel Waldorf. Edited by Anne Bailey. Technical direction by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor.

The Green Blueprint is a co-production of Latitude Media and Trellis Climate. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get podcasts. For more reporting on the companies featured in this podcast, subscribe to Latitude Media's newsletter.