Regional Ammonia: EMA and MPA shortlist two consortia to study ammonia viability for power generation and bunkering

By M. Zaki Mubarok

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have advanced two consortia to the next evaluation phase of their proposals for a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island. This initiative is part of Singapore's efforts to explore sustainable energy sources for power generation and bunkering.

From an initial six shortlisted consortia, Keppel’s Infrastructure Division and Sembcorp-SLNG, alongside bunkering players Itochu Corporation, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), and Sumitomo Corporation, have been selected based on the technical, safety, and commercial merits of their proposals, EMA and EPA said in a joint statement released on Thursday.

Read also: Regional Ammonia: Sembcorp, Sojitz, Kyushu sign HoT for green ammonia offtake

The selected consortia will now conduct detailed engineering, safety, and emergency response studies for the proposed project, which aims to generate 55 to 65 MW of electricity using imported low- or zero-carbon ammonia in a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine and facilitate ammonia bunkering with an initial capacity of at least 0.1 million tons per annum (MTPA). The project will initially focus on shore-to-ship bunkering, followed by ship-to-ship bunkering.

In the next phase, one of the two bidders will be chosen as the lead developer by Q1 2025. This developer will collaborate closely with the government to implement the project, given the nascent stage of ammonia technology and global supply chains.

This initiative is a significant part of Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy, launched in 2022, which aims to develop low-carbon hydrogen as a key decarbonisation pathway to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Ammonia, being a technologically-ready hydrogen carrier with an established international supply chain, is central to this strategy.

If successful, the project will position Singapore as a pioneer in deploying direct ammonia combustion power plants and support the development of ammonia bunkering for international shipping, unlocking the potential of low-carbon ammonia as a fuel.

Editing by Alexander Ginting