IHI and GE Vernova have built a large scale combustion test facility which will accelerate the development of gas turbines capable of operating on 100% ammonia. The two parties aim to have such gas turbines commercially available by 2030.
IHI Corporation, state-owned utility PLN Indonesia Power, and state-owned fertilizer company Pupuk have announced the successful completion of an ammonia co-firing trial at the Labuan power plant on Java’s west coast.
Here, we explore the current demonstration landscape for large-scale cracking. To produce pipeline-quality hydrogen at future energy import hubs, industrial-scale ammonia cracking is still to be derisked and demonstrated, although certain parts of the overall process have been proven at scale. What are the technology elements to be considered, and who are the first-movers deploying the technology in a variety of global locations?
The pair will jointly develop a new small-size, 100% ammonia-capable turbine for maritime applications. Tests will be completed by the end of 2027, after which the ~16 MW unit will be commercially available for orders.
In 2025, the pieces are rapidly assembling to enable and accelerate imports of ammonia energy to Japan. This year, government agency METI is due to announce two lots of key funding, including contracts for difference subsidies and development of import infrastructure. Power generation technologies will be commercialised within the next few years, and more maritime players are joining the push to deploy ammonia fuel in Japanese ships.
During the recent AEA Annual Conference 2024, the status of ammonia as fuel for gas turbines was discussed, featuring a panel of global OEMs and gas turbine experts. We explore the technology developments to date, different fuel strategies for ammonia, demonstration projects planned, and the pathway forward for deployment.
