Jera, Thai EGCO sign MoU on decarbonisation

Japan’s Jera and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Company (EGCO) will study ways to decarbonise the latter’s business, Jera said on January 12.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the parties, Jera and EGCO will develop a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain in Thailand, explore opportunities for the implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology in the southeast Asian nation and assess the feasibility for ammonia co-firing at a coal-fired power plant in which EGCO owns 50% stake.

For the ammonia co-firing project, Jera has signed an MoU with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Mitsubishi Corporation, BLCP Power, EGCO and Banpu Power Public Company (BPP). The companies will jointly study the technical application, economic evaluation, and CO₂ reduction plan for up to 20% ammonia co-firing at a coal-fired power plant owned by BLCP Power, an equal joint venture between BPP and EGCO. 

In Japan, Jera is already working to establish the technology for ammonia co-firing by 20% at the Hekinan thermal power station in Aichi and is working with MHI to conduct demonstration projects aimed at achieving a co-firing ratio of more than 50%.

The Thai government has announced in its National Energy Plan that it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero by 2065, and it is expected to strengthen cooperation with Japan on hydrogen, ammonia, and other decarbonizing technologies, Jera said.