Singapore’s Jurong Port and subsidiaries of Japanese firms Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Jera have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore development of a 100pc ammonia-fired power plant. The three firms will also study wider commercialisation opportunities for ammonia bunkering and marine fuels.

The partners plan to set up a 60MW combined-cycle gas turbine located on Jurong Island, a major industrial hub for Singapore’s chemicals and energy sectors.

Singapore emitted 51.6mn t CO₂e in 2019—of which power and industry account for a combined 84.3pc—and aims to reach net zero by 2050.

84.3pc – Power and industry’s share of Singaporean emissions

Ammonia is gaining ground as a decarbonisation option for many Asian power companies, with Jera aiming to use a 20pc ammonia fuel mix for all of its coal-fired power plants by 2035. And in addition to its potential role as a cost-effective way to store and transport hydrogen, the chemical is increasingly being explored as a zero-carbon fuel for shipping.

“We feel this MoU could help pave the way for encouraging the adoption of hydrogen in Singapore through aggregation of demand across multiple sectors, mainly the power sector and the maritime sector, thereby addressing the chicken-and-egg conundrum of infrastructure versus demand needs for maritime and domestic power generation,” says Ooi Boon Hoe, Jurong Port’s CEO.

“This collaboration is certainly consistent with the spirit of reinforcing Singapore’s premier bunkering hub status—for current, transition and future fuels.”

Jurong Port and MHI had previously conducted a pre-feasibility study on ammonia direct combustion technology, which concluded in March this year.

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Author: Polly Martin