Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Asia Pacific (MHI-AP) and Thai state-owned oil and gas company PTT have initiated a collaborative pre-feasibility study into using 100% ammonia in gas turbine power generation in Thailand.

The study is in response to Thailand’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050, particularly focusing on the reduction of carbon emissions in the energy sector.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two companies outlines their commitment to evaluating the economic viability of ammonia as a power generation fuel.

They will assess the potential demand for clean power derived from ammonia.

The study will also cover the logistics and safety aspects of ammonia, such as its storage, handling and delivery to power plants.

In addition to economic feasibility, MHI-AP and PTT will identify potential sites and timelines for establishing a 100% ammonia direct combustion gas turbine power plant.

The partnership will also foster the development of an ammonia supply chain.

In February 2024, Mitsubishi Power, a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, secured an order to supply a combined cycle gas turbine (GTCC) system for the Navoi 3 project in Uzbekistan.

The project will generate 600MW of electricity and 200 gigacalories of heat and marks the third GTCC equipment order for the Navoi power plant.

In December 2023, Centrica and Mitsubishi Power announced plans for an ammonia-fired power plant in Cork, Ireland.

The proposed facility at Bord Gáis Energy’s Whitegate combined cycle gas turbine power station will be the first of its kind in Europe. The two companies signed an MOU for its exploration, construction and operation.

In November 2023, Mitsubishi Power successfully conducted a fuel blend test using 30% hydrogen and natural gas at both partial and full load on a J-series air-cooled gas turbine. 

The demonstration occurred at the T-Point 2 combined cycle power plant validation facility, part of the Takasago hydrogen park in Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.