From Louisiana to Japan: new government support to establish full supply chains by 2030

By Julian Atchison on December 21, 2025

JERA, Mitsui & Co. awarded funds to import ammonia from Blue Point

Graphic visualisation of the Blue Point production project in the USA.

Click to learn more. Graphic visualisation of the Blue Point production project in the USA, from which Mitsui & Co. and JERA will import low-emission ammonia into Japan. Source: Mitsui & Co.

Following on from the first CfD funds awarded by the Japanese government in October 2025, Mitsui & Co. and JERA announced that they have been awarded funding to import CCS-based ammonia from the Blue Point project in Louisiana, USA. Both JERA and Mitsui & Co. are joint partners in the production project, which achieved FID in April this year. By 2030 (2029 in JERA’s case), full supply chains will be established to import the ammonia into Japan, for use in the power generation, cement manufacturing, and other industrial sectors.

Securing government support marks a significant milestone in advancing a comprehensive and resilient low-carbon ammonia value chain and paving the way for the expansion of ammonia across industries in Japan. Anchored by Hekinan Thermal Power Station, JERA delivers tailored, cutting-edge, and effective solutions that support our customers’ decarbonization efforts—locally, nationally, and globally. As a pioneer, we are committed to the real-world deployment of low-carbon ammonia, and driving the transition toward zero emissions in alignment with evolving policy.

Hisahide Okuda, President of JERA, in his organisation’s official press release, 19 Dec 2025

Graphic depiction of JERA’s low-emission ammonia supply chain from the USA to Japan.

Click to enlarge. Graphic depiction of JERA’s low-emission ammonia supply chain from the USA to Japan, including transport. Source: JERA.

In JERA’s case, 500,000 tons per year of low-emission ammonia will be transported to the Hekinan coal power plant, for use in commercial co-firing operations. There is also a commitment to “supply ammonia to a diverse range of industries, including the manufacturing and shipping industry” in the Chubu region. Mitsui & Co. will import around 280,000 tons per year and supply the fuel to Hokkaido Electric Power, Mitsubishi UBE Cement, Tosoh Corporation, and other customers.

Demonstrating the full supply chain

To move the ammonia fuel from Louisiana to Hekinan power station, JERA has unveiled all the different elements of its supply chain:

  • Production Segment:Reached final investment decision (FID) on the Blue Point low-carbon ammonia production facility in Louisiana, together with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (announced on April 9, 2025).
  • Transportation Segment:Initiated discussions regarding potential collaborations on transporting fuel ammonia with industry-leading shipping companies Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). (announced on November 21, 2022). Signed legally binding heads of agreements for the chartering of four ammonia carriers with NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (NYK’s subsidiary) and MOL.
  • Power Generation Segment:Successfully conducted the world’s first ammonia substitution (20% heat value ratio) demonstration test in a large commercial coal-fired unit at the Hekinan Thermal Power Station. (announced on June 26, 2024).Currently constructing facilities to enable large-scale ammonia combustion (20% heat value ratio) with commercial operation targeted for fiscal year 2029.

Full details of the ammonia fuel supply chain from the USA to Japan, from JERA’s official press release, 19 Dec 2025