Sembcorp to retrofit Sakra cogen plant for ammonia firing

Sembcorp Industries is looking to retrofit its Sakra power plant in Singapore with ammonia-firing capabilities in an effort to decarbonise operations.

To this end, the renewables developer has extended an existing agreement with Japan's IHI Corporation and GE Vernova’s Gas Power business to deploy ammonia direct combustion systems.

The agreement also builds upon a separate cooperation between IHI and GE Vernova on developing a retrofittable, 100% ammonia-capable combustion system that is compatible with specific GE Vernova turbine models.

The project will potentially assist Sembcorp to generate low-carbon energy from its existing power plant assets and increase industry confidence for the development of an ammonia value chain in Singapore.

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Koh Chiap Khiong, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia at Sembcorp Industries, said: “Sembcorp Cogen @ Sakra was Singapore’s largest and most efficient cogeneration plant when it was commissioned in 2001. We are now taking the next step to support decarbonisation efforts through the potential retrofitting of the power plant with ammonia-firing capabilities.”

Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO of GE Gas Power Asia, said: “We hope that this collaboration will pave the way for power plant operators to adopt carbon-free combustion fuels such as ammonia in GE gas turbines, to significantly contribute towards lowering carbon emissions in the power sector in Asia and globally.”

According to GE, there has been a growing interest in carbon free fuels which has opened the door for a range of hydrogen alternatives, including ammonia. ETN Global suggests that ammonia could be the answer to rescuing stranded assets, enables the use of waste streams and allows for the storage of vast amounts of energy.

Jun Kobayashi, Board Director, Managing Executive Officer, IHI Corporation, said: “IHI is developing ammonia combustion technologies and infrastructure solutions that can be safely retrofitted to existing power generation facilities, thereby establishing true reductions in carbon emissions. The ability to retrofit such technologies also provides decarbonization pathways that future-proof existing investments in power generation.”