MHI to study ammonia co-firing at Thai power plant

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and several other Thai and Japanese organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in a feasibility study for the introduction of ammonia co-firing at a coal-fired thermal power plant operated by BLCP, an independent power producer in Thailand and a joint venture between Banpu Power Public Company (BPP) and Electricity Generating Public Company (EGCO Group).

The organizations involved include BPP and EGCO Group from Thailand, as well as JERA and Mitsubishi Corporation from Japan.

The MoU was signed during the Japan-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue (JTEPD) in Thailand’s capital Bangkok.

Under the feasibility study plan, MHI, with support from its power solutions brand Mitsubishi Power, will determine and conduct a study on the supply of ammonia burners, boiler facilities, and equipment necessary for ammonia co-firing.

JERA will examine the procurement and transportation of ammonia fuel, whereas JERA and Mitsubishi Corporation will investigate the port facilities, along with ammonia receiving and storage facilities.

BLCP, MHI, Mitsubishi Corporation, and JERA will also jointly conduct studies and develop plans to achieve up to 20% ammonia co-firing, supporting reductions in CO2 emissions and decarbonisation.

The BLCP power station, located in Rayong province in southeastern Thailand, comprises two subcritical coal-fired boilers with a total output of 1,434 megawatts (MW) that began operations in 2006 and 2007. MHI supplied the boilers, steam turbines, and other main facilities of the station.

The project’s aim is to decarbonise the existing power plant, supporting Thailand in achieving its climate ambitions.

Thailand said it is committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

The country plans to strengthen cooperation with Japan regarding decarbonisation technologies for fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen.

So far, MHI and Mitsubishi Power have supplied more than 25 gigawatts (GW) of power generation equipment to Thailand, including facilities currently under construction, accounting for well more than half of the country’s generating capacity.

MHI has been involved in another recent ammonia-related agreement.

In December 2022, it signed a MoU with Guacolda Energía SpA, an independent power producer (IPP) in Chile, to begin a feasibility study for the introduction of ammonia co-firing at a coal-fired thermal power plant in Huasco, Atacama Region.

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