South Korea Advances Green Energy with Ammonia-Powered Distributed Power Projects

Ammonia-to-power firm Amogy will join with South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction to create ammonia-based and ammonia-to-hydrogen distributed power generation for industrial customers.

The joint venture will combine Amogy’s ammonia cracking technology with GS engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities globally.

Ammonia, known by the chemical symbol NH3, offers a carbon-free alternative to transport and power generation fuels. Its high hydrogen content within the molecular chain–which can be separated through the cracking process–also creates potential for converting the energy intensive and carbon-free H gas into commercially operational power resources.

“This joint venture reflects growing global demand for practical, carbon-free energy solutions,” said Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy, in a statement. “Together with GS E&C, we are pairing breakthrough technology with proven EPC capabilities to deliver turnkey, easy-to-deploy solutions for customers. With our flagship project in Pohang underway, this partnership enables us to scale carbon-free distributed power generation and accelerate global expansion.”

The joint venture builds on a project the companies already began collaborating on in Pohang City, South Korea. The project aims to deploy an ammonia-based power generation system of up to 40 MW at the Yeongilman Industrial Complex, using green ammonia as a carbon-free fuel to supply clean electricity for regional industrial demand.

Amogy and GS E&C were jointly selected last year as project operators for a Distributed Energy Special Zone designated by Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

“Through this joint venture, we aim to lead a new market for green ammonia-based carbon-free power generation,” Jin-hong Huh, senior executive vice president of GS E&C, said. “By successfully completing the pilot and subsequent commercialization projects in Pohang starting from this year, we will establish a foundation for expanding our energy business portfolio.”

These are not the only South Korean companies advancing the movement of ammonia as a decarbonizing fuel resource. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built two ammonia-powered gas carrier vessels ordered by Exmar LGP France. Those ships are scheduled for delivery to the shipowner this May and July following final outfitting.

The two HHI-manufactured 46,000-cubic-meter mid-sized gas carrier vessels, christened Antwerpen and Arlon, were celebrated in a naming ceremony at the company’s Ulsan shipyard in South Korea.