Sembcorp, IHI and GE will explore potential retrofits to existing gas turbines at the Sakra power plant to run on 100% ammonia fuel. The Sakra plant currently features two GE 9FA turbines, which are among the models IHI & GE are targeting for development of a “retrofittable” ammonia combustion system.

The pair will develop an 850,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia production facility in Queensland, Australia. The ammonia will be used domestically by IPL, exported to Singapore for use in Keppel’s under-development power generation projects, or sold to customers in Asia for energy needs. The source of the renewable hydrogen feedstock will be the nearby Central Queensland hydrogen mega-project. In other news, H2U will collaborate with the local first nations community on its own mega-project in the area: H2-Hub™ Gladstone.

Through this partnership, Keppel and Exxon Mobil look to leverage their experience to deliver low or zero-carbon hydrogen and ammonia solutions to support Singapore’s quest to decarbonise its power sector.

At the G20 summit in Indonesia, Pertamina has signed two separate agreements: one with Chevron & Keppel Infrastructure to develop a geothermal ammonia production plant, and one with Aramco to explore potential CCUS ammonia production projects. Also at the G20 summit, Fortescue Future Industries & Indonesian steel maker PT Gunung Raja Paksi Tbk agreed to explore the decarbonisation of steel making in Indonesia using hydrogen & ammonia fuel.

MHI, Keppel Infrastructure and DNV have agreed to explore the feasibility and deployment of a 100% ammonia-fired gas turbine on Jurong Island, Singapore. In Indonesia, MHI and Bandung Institute of Technology will work together to demonstrate 100% ammonia firing with MHI’s H-25 Series, 40 MW gas turbine.

The pair will explore a new, 250,000-tonnes-per-year renewable ammonia production facility in India, powered by 1.3 GW of solar, wind and pumped hydro generating capacity. The ammonia will be used for “demand for low carbon energy” in India and Singapore, and also as bunker fuel. In related news, Indian energy major Jakson Green has announced it will build a $2.8 billion, 365,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia production plant in Kota, northern India.

When it comes to ammonia energy & Australia, the persistent theme for a few years now has been exports, exports, exports. But, does a domestic hydrogen & ammonia industry present the opportunity for Australia to move on from a “dig and ship mentality”? Can Australia develop an equivalent of the METS industry, providing the expertise, technology and services required to get more projects up-and-running overseas?

To explore these big questions, we welcome a terrific discussion panel: Cindy Lim (Keppel Infrastructure), Olivia Brace (Advisian), and Tim Rogers (Trafigura Group), and chair Penelope Howarth (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). And - in the session before we launch into discussion - we will hear updates from some of our key ammonia energy allies in APAC. Shigeru Muraki (CFAA, Japan), Hyung Chul Yoon (KIER, Korea) and Kashish Shah (IEEFA, India) will dial-in virtually to present the latest from their home countries. Join us in-person or online, and purchase your tickets by this Friday 5 August to secure the extended early-bird rate.

ABS has granted Approval in Principle to Keppel Offshore & Marine for an ammonia-fueled, ammonia bunkering vessel. The new vessel is a key component of Project Sabre: a high-profile consortium of maritime organisations aiming to commence ammonia bunkering in Singapore by 2030.

Incitec Pivot, Keppel Infrastructure and Temasek signed a new MoU this week to investigate the production and export of green ammonia from Australia to Singapore. Incitec Pivot's existing Kooragang Island facility in Newcastle, Australia could be one source, with the other being a potential greenfield site in Gladstone. Green ammonia production also represents a potential lifeline for Incitec Pivot's Gibson Island plant in Brisbane, which will cease conventional ammonia production by the end of 2022.