Jera pens ammonia transportation pacts with NYK, MOL

Japanese joint venture Jera has concluded memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with shipping firms NYK and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) to cooperate in transporting fuel ammonia for the Hekinan thermal power plant, the company said on November 21. The plant is expected to begin commercial operation in the late 2020s.

The MoUs cover the joint examination of ways to develop large-volume ammonia carriers and establish safe transport systems.

In preparing to start commercial operation of large-volume co-firing of fuel ammonia (20% of heating value) at Hekinan thermal power station unit 4 in the latter half of the 2020s, Jera has, since February of this year, been conducting an international competitive bidding process for fuel ammonia procurement, including an opportunity to participate in a fuel ammonia production project.

“In addition, the establishment of a method for transporting ammonia as a fuel for power generation will create a supply chain for the Hekinan thermal power plant that reaches from upstream fuel ammonia to power generation,” the company said.

Under its ‘Jera Zero CO₂ Emissions 2050’ objective, the company has been working to reduce CO₂ emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses to zero by 2050, to promote the adoption of greener fuels, and to pursue thermal power that does not emit CO₂ during power generation.