Japan’s biggest power generator JERA is on track to achieve 20 per cent ammonia co-firing at a unit of its Hekinan thermal power station in fiscal 2029, marking the world’s first commercial use of ammonia as a fuel, the plant’s head said on Tuesday.
Mitsutaka Ban, head of Japan’s largest coal-fired power station, was speaking to reporters at a presentation of facilities at the 4.1-gigawatt plant in central Japan, including four large ammonia fuel storage tanks being built as part of the project.
The project, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, is moving ahead despite weakening momentum in global energy transition, as high costs for hydrogen, ammonia and other materials have led energy firms to scale back or delay investments.
“It’s undeniable that the investment environment for hydrogen, ammonia, and renewable energy has become extremely stagnant,” Ban told reporters. “But we believe continuing decarbonisation efforts is the best way to prepare for the future.”