Japan’s JERA is to begin trialling the co-firing of 20% ammonia (presumably on a calorific value basis, though it is not clear in the Reuters’ report) with coal at a unit of its Hekinan thermal power station in Aichi prefecture, the largest coal-fired power plant in Japan.

It appears that the tests, which are to run between March 26 and June 19 in collaboration with heavy machinery manufacturer IHI, will be carried out at the 1 GW Unit 4 at the plant, with the trial claimed to be the largest portion of ammonia co-fired at a major commercial plant. JERA plans to operate Unit 4 on a permanent basis by co-firing ammonia from 2027, and co-fire Unit 5 with 50% ammonia from 2028 as a means to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from its operations.

As Reuters reports, many power generators across Asia are planning their own trials and/or implementations of ammonia co-firing, and one could see the trend increasing.