NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compressed.pdf

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NewBase Energy News 25 March 2024 No. 1710 Senior Editor Eng. Khaled Al Awadi
NewBase for discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
U.A.E: Unit 4 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant successfully
connected to UAE grid
WAM
The Emirates Nuclear Energy C orporation (ENEC) today announced that its operations and
maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has safely and successfully connected Unit 4 of
the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE’s transmission grid. Grid connection signifies the
delivery of the first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the fourth reactor of the nuclear energy
plant, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s clean energy transition and journey towards Net
Zero by 2050.
Unit 4 will add another 1,400 megawatts of clean electricity capacity to power the national grid,
representing another significant step forward towards full-fleet operations, further supporting the
UAE’s efforts in enhancing grid stability and energy security through abundant around-the-clock
zero-emissions electricity.
ww.linkedin.com/in/khaled-al-awadi-80201019/

The Nawah teams at Barakah have worked
closely with the Abu Dhabi Transmission and
Despatch Company (TRANSCO), a subsidiary
of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PSJC
(TAQA), who constructed the overhead lines to
connect the Barakah Plant to the Abu Dhabi grid
– ensuring the power generated at Barakah is
safely, securely and reliably delivered to
consumers across the country.
Grid connection of Unit 4 solidifies the Barakah
Plant's position as the cornerstone of the UAE’s
Net Zero 2050 Strategy, contributing significantly
to the nation's clean energy portfolio. It not only
propels the UAE towards achieving its ambitious
climate goals but also positions the country as a
leader in nuclear energy and decarbonization.
The operational readiness of all four units
underscores the UAE's commitment to
diversifying its energy sources, ensuring the
reliability and sustainability of its energy sector
for the next six decades.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and
Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: “We are proud to have achieved another critical milestone
for the Barakah Plant, which stands as a testament to the UAE's leadership in the development of
large-scale multi-unit nuclear fleets.
Grid connection of Unit 4 puts us well on the path to full-fleet commercial operations, and with that,
the ability to generate 40TWh of clean, baseload electricity annually to drive our Net Zero economy,
offering a competitive edge to many businesses, decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, while
presenting a global benchmark for the entire nuclear energy industry.”
The fourth unit is nearing the start of commercial operations. Following grid connection, Unit 4 will
undergo the process of gradually raising power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT).
The process will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is
reached, while adhering to all local regulatory requirements and the highest international standards
of safety, quality and security.
Each Unit has been connected to the grid more efficiently than the previous unit, as institutional
knowledge and experience are applied to each subsequent unit. Unit 3 was delivered four months
faster than the Unit 2 schedule, and five months faster than the Unit 1 schedule, demonstrating the
significant benefit of building multiple units within a phased timeline.
Backed by the success of the Barakah Plant, ENEC is at the forefront of pioneering initiatives aimed
at shaping the future of clean energy. ENEC's focus on advancing nuclear technologies, across
large-scale PWR reactors through to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and microreactors through the
ENEC ADVANCE Program, aims to further strengthen the UAE's leadership in climate action and
clean energy transition.
This strategic direction not only amplifies the UAE's contributions to global decarbonization efforts
but also showcases the potential of advanced nuclear technologies in meeting the world's growing
energy needs sustainably.

UAE’s Enec, General Atomics to collaborate on nuclear energy supply
TradeArabia News Service
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has signed a MoU with General Atomics, a
leading US advanced technology solutions company to collaborate on using advanced technologies
and materials for nuclear energy supply.
The duo will also co-operate on prospects that utilise Enec's experience in developing new nuclear
builds and investments in GA's advanced non-light water reactors, material production and 3D
manufacturing capabilities.
As per the deal signed on the sidelines of CERAWeek in Houston, Enec and GA Electromagnetic
Systems (GA-EMS) will explore collaboration opportunities covering several projects, including
opportunities to utilise GA-EMS' SiGA cladding for nuclear reactor applications and Fast Modular
Nuclear Reactor designs.
Silicon carbide cladding will improve the safety and affordability of existing light water reactors and
minimise outage time.
This innovative material will be utilised for the US Department of Energy-funded Fast Modular
Reactor (FMR) design and other advanced or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that use high
temperatures to achieve high efficiency in electricity production, it stated.

Enec, the UAE's mandated nuclear energy developer, is looking at all growth opportunities available
to expand and enhance the nation's nuclear energy sector.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Enec, said: "Having successfully developed
the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE, we are
now focused on building international partnerships to drive innovation and R&D in new clean energy
solutions."
Enec has efficiently delivered the four units of the Barakah Plant, making it the first multi-unit
operational nuclear plant in the Arab world.
The operational teams have brought a unit into commercial operation every year since 2021,
demonstrating steady progress and extensive megaproject management expertise.
"The Barakah Plant is a catalyst for a new era of technological advancement and cooperation on a
global level to collectively take us closer to our Net Zero targets. We look forward to working with
General Atomics to identify areas of potential collaboration to drive progress within the international
nuclear energy industry," he stated.
Enec is currently assessing several development, investment and partnership proposals across
large-scale reactors, SMRs and advanced reactors to generate clean electrons and molecules, such
as steam, hydrogen and ammonia, and provide process heat for various industries, he added.
Scott Forney, the President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, said: "GA-EMS brings
decades of expertise in developing advanced fuels, silicon carbide cladding to enhance fuel rod
safety and durability, and Fast Modular Nuclear Reactor designs offering greater efficiency, safety,
and economics."
"We are very excited to be working with ENEC to explore opportunities and leverage these
transformational technologies to provide a more safe and secure energy future," he added.

Oman invites developers for five wind projects worth USD 1.2bn
Renewable now + NewBase
Oman is seeking developers for five wind projects across the Sultanate which are planned to
become operational in 2027.
Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP), the sole offtaker of electricity from
independent power plants in Oman, on Monday issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the five
schemes that will be implemented as independent power projects (IPP) and will require investments
of about OMR 457 million (USD 1.18bn /EUR 1.09bn).
The biggest of the five projects is the Mahoot I with a planned capacity of 342 MW - 400 MW and
an estimated investment of OMR 187 million. The wind park will be located in Mahoot Province,
Wusta Governorate and generate 1,226 GWh of power annually. The commercial operation date
(COD) is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.
Jaalan Bani Bu Ali will be built in Sharqiyah Governorate with a capacity of 91 MW - 105 MW and
an estimated investment of OMR 46 million. Planned to enter commercial operation in the first
quarter of 2027, the wind park is expected to generate 272 GWh per year.
A 114-132 MW wind farm dubbed Dhofar II will be installed in Dhofar Governorate near Oman's first wind
farm in operation -- Dhofar I. The project will cost OMR 58 million. Dhofar II is expected to reach commercial
operation in the second quarter of 2027, producing 326 GWh per year.
Duqm Wind IPP with a capacity of 234-270 MW will be built in Wusta Governorate with a COD planned for
the last quarter of 2027. The investment in the project is forecast at OMR 119 million. The wind farm's annual
output is projected at 920 GWh.
The fifth project, Sadah Wind IPP, of 81-99 MW will be located in Dhofar Governorate. Its construction is
estimated to cost OMR 47 million. The wind farm should be operational in the last quarter of 2027, generating
244 GWh annually.

Qatar: QatarEnergy enters time charter agreements with
Nakilat for the operation of 25 LNG vessels. QatarEnergy
QatarEnergy has signed time-charter party (TCP) agreements with Qatar Gas Transport Company
Limited (Nakilat) for the operation of 25 conventional-size LNG vessels as part of the second ship-
owner tender under QatarEnergy’s historic LNG Fleet Expansion Program.
The agreements were signed by His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State
for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy and Mr. Abdullah Al Sulaiti, the CEO of
Nakilat, in a special ceremony held at QatarEnergy’s headquarters in Doha, and attended by senior
executives from QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, and Nakilat.
Seventeen of the 25 LNG vessels are being constructed at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)
shipyards in South Korea, while the remaining eight are being constructed at Hanwha Ocean
(formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) also in South Korea.
Commenting on this occasion, His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said: 'These agreements
firm up last month’s selection of Nakilat as the owner and operator of up to 25 conventional-size
LNG carriers, underscoring our continued confidence in Qatar’s flagship LNG shipping and maritime
company. This is a testament to Nakilat’s world-class capabilities as well as to the significant
contributions of Qatari listed companies to our country’s national economy.'
His Excellency Minister Al-Kaabi added: 'The agreements we signed today play an important role
in implementing QatarEnergy’s historic LNG shipping program, which will cater for our future
requirements, as we move forward with the expansion of our LNG production capacity to 142 million
tons per annum by 2030, ensuring additional cleaner and reliable energy supplies to the world.'
Each of the 25 vessels will have a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters and will be chartered out by
Nakilat to affiliates of QatarEnergy pursuant to the 15-year TCP agreements.

UK: Eni welcomes UK Government’s Development Consent
Order for HyNet CO2 pipeline
Source: Eni
Eni welcomes the decision by the Secretary of State for the UK Government’s Department for
Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to grant a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the HyNet
North West CO2 pipeline.
The DCO will allow the construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure to transport
captured CO2 as part of the HyNet CCS cluster, where Eni is the transportation and storage
operator.
The DCO is the first Anglo-Welsh cross border application for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure
Project (NSIP) to be granted a DCO by DESNZ. It marks the completion of an 18-month
determination process following Eni’s submission of the DCO application in October 2022. The DCO
brings the HyNet CCS cluster closer to the execution phase, with FID expected by September 2024.
The UK Government’s decision to grant a DCO to the HyNet CO2 pipeline is an important milestone
to allow for the world’s first asset-based regulated CCS business. A DCO is the consent required to
authorise the development of any Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
The HyNet CO2 pipeline will transport carbon dioxide from capture plants across the North West of
England and North Wales through new and repurposed infrastructure to safe and permanent
storage in Eni’s depleted natural gas reservoirs, located under the seabed in Liverpool Bay.
Claudio Descalzi Eni CEO commented: 'We see the UK as an attractive destination for Eni’s
investments, particularly in the area of decarbonisation. We welcome the UK
Government’s ambition to promote and develop the kind of groundbreaking projects we need to
address climate change, especially within hard-to-abate sectors.

Carbon Capture will play a critical role in meeting this challenge by safely eliminating emissions
from industries that currently do not have equally efficient and effective solutions. This decision
marks a significant step towards establishing a significant new industry for the country
and consolidates the Eni’s leading position providing a service to decarbonise both its own and third
parties' industrial activities at a competitive cost and with a fast time to market.
This position was further reinforced following our acquisition of Neptune Energy, which gives Eni
access to three additional CO2 storage licences for a total gross storage capacity of about 1GT in
the UK.'
Eni has established a leading position in the UK as HyNet’s CO2 transportation and storage
operator. The Company also leads the Bacton Thames Net Zero project, which is looking to
decarbonise the South East of England and Thames region.
Eni has extensive experience in developing natural gas fields, operated over many decades, and
will apply its know-how and skills to repurpose some of its existing assets into CO2 storage hubs,
allowing the decarbonisation of its own, as well as third-parties', industrial activities at a competitive
cost.
Eni’s transportation and storage system at HyNet will have a capacity of 4.5 million tonnes of
CO2 per year in the first phase, with the potential to increase to up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per
year after 2030 making HyNet a major contributor to the UK’s target of decarbonisation and CO2
storage.
It will transform one of the country’s most energy intensive industrial regions into one of the world’s
first low-carbon industrial clusters. The project will help preserve local jobs by supporting the
decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries, as well as attracting investment and creating new jobs.

Russia’s Oil Is Finally Getting Snarled by Sanctions
Bloomberg - Rakesh Sharma, Grant Smith and Julian Lee
The Russian oil-export machine funding the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine is finally getting some grit in
its gears.
Indian oil refiners — Moscow’s second-biggest customers after China since the 2022 invasion —
will no longer accept tankers owned by state-run Sovcomflot PJSC because of the risk posed by
sanctions.
Since the start of October, the US has ratcheted up sanctions on the wider fleet of tankers moving
Russian crude oil. Dozens of those targeted have been languishing ever since, and more barrels of
Russian diesel are floating idly on the oceans than at any time since 2017, according to analytics
firm Kpler.
Taken together, these moves have the potential to gradually constrict Russian petroleum revenues,
a key policy goal of the US and its allies as they seek to thwart military aggression by President
Vladimir Putin.
The Group of Seven’s approach to sanctions on Russia has been characterized by its refusal to
cause any pain to its own economies in the form of higher oil prices. Washington came up with the
so-called price cap policy precisely to soften the sanctions that were being cooked up in Brussels.
And since the war started two years ago, Russia has continued to export huge amounts of oil.
While there’s no expectation of drastic supply cuts at this stage, the question is how far western
regulators will go in tightening the screws while oil prices head towards $90 a barrel and President
Joe Biden begins a grueling election campaign with painful inflation still in voters’ minds.

“It’s a growing squeeze on Russian export flows, particularly to India,” said Richard Bronze, head
of geopolitics at consultant Energy Aspects Ltd. “We’re at the stage where sanctions-related friction
is becoming very evident.”
Since October, the US has designated 40 individual Russian oil tankers. Four of the more recently
targeted ones are continuing to make deliveries, but no sanctioned ship has collected a cargo since
being named by the US Treasury, tanker tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.
Now, an increasingly tough trading environment has delivered a powerful symbolic blow to the
Kremlin as India — a stalwart commercial ally throughout war — shuns its fleet. At the same time,
Ukraine has started blowing up Russian oil refineries, though it’s not clear how much support for the
strategy it enjoys in Washington.
“We’re definitely seeing stepped up US sanctions pressure on both Russian crude and on exports,”
said Greg Brew, an analyst at Eurasia Group in New York. “It comes at a time when the US is
struggling to send more aid to Ukraine, when Ukraine’s fortunes on the battlefield are starting to
decline, and when Russia appears to be gaining the upper hand.”
State-run Sovcomflot transported about a fifth of all Russia’s crude deliveries to India last year. The
figure appeared to be in decline even before the news that nation’s refineries would no longer accept
the ships.
“We expect and welcome that global oil buyers will be much less willing to deal with Sovcomflot
than in the past,” a US Treasury spokesperson said, adding that the measures should have no oil
market impact because Russia will maintain an incentive to sell oil.”
Now that fleet will need to find work elsewhere — and there are signs it’s struggling. At least seven
of the vessels have come to a halt in the Black Sea and disappeared from digital monitoring
systems, tanker tracking by Bloomberg shows. Sovcomflot admitted this week that sanctions had
hurt its operations.

“The targeting of Sovcomflot represents a significant tightening of US sanctions against Russia,”
said Janis Kluge, senior associate for Eastern Europe and Eurasia at the German Institute for
International and Security Affairs in Berlin. “It will not solve the problem of circumvention, but it will
drive up shipping costs and price discounts for Russian oil.”
Even so, Russia can still draw on a so-called “shadow fleet” of vessels amassed shortly after the
2022 invasion — often older ships without proper insurance and with unclear ownership — to make
its deliveries. By some estimates, there are as many as 600 such carriers in operation, alongside
Greek tankers that continue to serve the trade under the G-7 price cap.
Delivery costs for Russian oil are huge. It costs about $14.50 a barrel to delivery a Baltic Sea cargo
to China, according to data from Argus Media. Well over half that sum is attributable to sanctions, it
estimates.
“Whether this turns into actual supply losses will depend on how quickly workarounds are found for
freight issues and whether Russian sellers are willing to deepen discounts,” said Bronze at Energy
Aspects.
A further setback for Moscow has emerged in its sale of refined fuels. An average of 6.2 million
barrels of Russian diesel was floating in the 10 days to March 17, according to data from Kpler
That’s the highest the measure’s been since at least 2017.
While it’s not clear that sanctions have caused the buildup, it’s striking that so much product is
accumulating at a time when drone strikes ought to have curbed supplies.
“Washington still has powerful tools to hurt Russian oil exports, but has used them cautiously,
fearing a spike in gas prices in an election year,” said Kluge.

Russia’s Spare Refining Capacity Can Mitigate Drone Attacks
Bloomberg
Ukraine’s drones have hit facilities accounting for more than a 10th of Russia’s oil-refining capacity,
but the actual reduction in crude processing may be just half that size because the country’s
downstream industry can utilize existing slack in the system.
Russia’s primary crude-processing volumes are expected to decline by 300,000 to 400,000 barrels
a day as a result of the latest flurry of Ukrainian drone attacks, to an average of 5 million to 5.2
million barrels a day, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.
A reduction of that size would still bring the nation’s oil-refining rate to levels not seen since the
spring of 2022, when many buyers shied away from Russian petroleum products following the
invasion of Ukraine.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in its third year, Kyiv is using drones to target its enemy’s key
industry, aiming to curb fuel supplies to the front line and cut the flow of petrodollars into Kremlin
coffers.
The attacks this year have targeted 13 major refineries and two smaller plants, with between
480,000 and 900,000 barrels a day of processing capacity currently offline, according to the survey.
“The impact on the refinery runs may not be as pronounced, thanks to additional utilization of the
currently operating primary units,” said Sergey Kondratiev, head of the economic department at
Moscow-based Institute for Energy and Finance Foundation.
In recent months, Russian crude-processing units have been operating at some 75% to 80% of their
nameplate capacity, Kondratiev estimated. The strikes do not appear to have damaged any

secondary refining units, or facilities that receive feedstock from crude units and process it further,
he said.
Russia was set to process 275 million tons of crude for this year, well below the total annual
processing capacity of 312 million tons estimated at the end of last year, according to Sofia
Mangileva, an analyst at Moscow-based consultant Yakov & Partners. That means the nation can
compensate for the attacks and ensure sufficient exports of petroleum products.
Russian refiners processed 5.03 million barrels a day of crude from March 14 to 20 after a flurry of
attacks, according to a person with knowledge of industry data. That’s down more than 400,000
barrels a day from the first 13 days of the month. But almost a quarter of the decline is due to
planned maintenance at a Moscow refinery that started earlier this week.
The global oil market has been tightening amid crude-supply curbs by the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Counties and its allies, which include Russia. Shipment disruptions in the Red Sea and
better than expected economic data from China are also bullish factors.
International oil prices are up about 11% this year, while US gasoline and European diesel prices
have so far this year outpaced the increase in crude.
Oil market watchers have been scrutinizing refinery runs in Russia, among the world’s top-three oil
producers, to understand how the recent drone attacks could affect overseas shipments. The
government in Moscow typically prioritizes domestic fuel supplies over exports to avoid shortages
that could prompt protests and boost inflation. It has banned gasoline exports from March 1 for six
months.
To avoid any shortages, the Energy Ministry is discussing potential changes to the spring
maintenance schedule for the country’s refineries, as well as the possibility of increasing fuel output
at operational facilities, Minister Nikolai Shulginov said earlier this week, according to Russian
media reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak discussed the situation with oil producers on Friday and
instructed them to work with the Russian Railways to ensure “uninterrupted” oil-product supplies as
well сrude flows to refineries in line with the plan and increasing seasonal demand.
Reduced Exports
Prior to the latest attacks, Russia had planned 644,000 barrels a day of diesel exports this month
from from major Baltic and Black Sea ports, according to industry data seen by Bloomberg. Mikhail
Turukalov, an independent US-based oil analyst, expects shipments to be around 20% to 30% lower
in April.
“The reason for it is not just the refinery attacks but also the start of spring maintenance and the
willingness of the regulators to saturate the domestic diesel market,” said Turukalov.
In the first two weeks of March, Russia’s domestic diesel supplies were steady at about 1.1 million
barrels a day, according to industry data seen by Bloomberg. Exports slipped to just over 600,000
barrels a day compared with 675,000 barrels a day in February, the data show.
Preliminary estimates suggest the drone attacks may reduce Russian diesel production by 6% to
8%, with only export flows affected, said Sergei Vakulenko, a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace in Berlin, who spent 10 years as an executive at a Russian oil producer.

Overseas shipments of diesel and fuel oil could each fall by 120,000 to 150,000 barrels a day, he
estimated. IEF’s Kondratiev sees diesel exports falling by 70,000 to 100,000 barrels per day.
Russia’s reduced refining rates may mean that more crude is diverted for export, First Deputy
Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin told Russian media earlier this month.
Kpler expects the nation to raise its daily seaborne crude flows by some 200,000 to 250,000 barrels
to 3.7 million to 3.8 million barrels. Estimates from Vakulenko, Yakov and Partners and FGE
consultancy put that increase closer to 600,000 barrels a day, in the event that Russia decides to
divert all crude it can’t process to foreign markets.
Selling those volumes on short notice “will not be easy and will likely require aggressive
discounting,” particularly since tougher sanctions enforcement has already reduced the international
appeal of Russian oil, FGE said in a report earlier this week.

NewBase March 25 -2024 Khaled Al Awadi
NewBase for discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
Oil rises as heightened geopolitical risks exacerbate supply concerns
Reuters + NewBase
Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Monday on concerns over tighter global supply brought about by
escalating conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, while a shrinking U.S. rig
count added to upward price pressure.
Brent crude futures climbed 39 cents, or 0.5%, to $85.82 a barrel at 0759 GMT. U.S. crude futures
gained 40 cents, or 0.5%, to $81.03 per barrel.
Both benchmarks fell less than 1% last week versus the previous week. A stronger U.S. dollar,
which rose about 1% over the last week, has kept a lid on prices.
"Escalating geopolitical tension, coupled with a rise in attacks on energy facilities in Russia and
Ukraine, alongside receding ceasefire hopes in the Middle East, raised concern over global oil
supply," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. oil rig count fell by one to 509 last week, showed data from energy services
firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O), opens new tab, indicating lower future supply.
Oil price special
coverage

Moscow launched 57 missiles and drones in the attack that also targeted the capital Kyiv, two days
after the largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine's energy system in more than two years of full-scale
war, Kyiv said.
The move followed Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, with at least seven
refineries targeted by drones just this month.
"Disruptions to oil refineries in Russia have added pressure on fuel markets, leading to rising
demand for available crude oil cargoes," analysts at ANZ Research said, adding that about 12% of
Russia's total oil processing capacity was impacted.
U.S. stocks ended mostly down on Friday, but the S&P 500 registered its biggest weekly percentage
gain of 2024.
Indian refineries refusing to take Russian crude carried on PJSC Sovcomflot tankers due to U.S.
sanctions was also adding to global market tightness, ANZ said.
In the Middle East, Israeli forces besieged two more Gaza hospitals on Sunday, pinning down
medical teams under heavy gunfire, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. Israel said it had captured
480 militants in continued clashes at Gaza's main Al Shifa hospital.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday
that Israel risked global isolation if it attacks the Palestinian city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, U.S. forces engaged six Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles over the
southern Red Sea after the group launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles toward a Chinese-owned
oil tanker, U.S. Central Command said on Saturday.

NewBase Specual Coverage
The Energy world –March 25 -2024
CLEAN ENERGY
Asia's ammonia co-firing power plant trials
Reuters + NewBase
Japan's top power generator, JERA, plans to co-fire 20% of ammonia with coal at its Hekinan
thermal power station, in what it said will be the world's first trial using a large amount of the gas at
a major commercial plant.
A view shows an ammonia tank at JERA's Hekinan thermal power station, in Aichi prefecture, central Japan, March 13, 2024.
REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/file photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Companies are planning to burn ammonia alongside fossil fuels to generate electricity and cut
emissions at power plants, though environmentalists have criticised the move as a way to extend
the life of dirty coal-fired plants.
Below are other trials across the Asia-Pacific region.
JAPAN
JERA is conducting the trial at Hekinan plant with heavy machinery maker IHI (7013.T), opens new
tab from March 26 to June 19.
JERA aims to start ammonia co-firing on a commercial basis at Hekinan No.4 unit as early as 2027
and a trial of replacing 50% of coal with ammonia at No.5 unit by around 2028.

Kyushu Electric Power (9508.T), opens new tab has run two trials to co-fire 0.1% ammonia on a
calorific value basis with coal: at the Reihoku, opens new tab power station in April 2023 and at
the Matsuura, opens new tab power station in November 2023.
Japanese oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan (5019.T), opens new tab has conducted a demonstration in
which more than 20% of the existing fossil fuel was switched to ammonia at a commercial naphtha
cracking furnace at its Tokuyama complex in Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan. The trial took
place from Feb. 6 to 8 and confirmed the feasibility of ammonia combustion.
INDONESIA
In Indonesia where coal accounts for over 60% of its power mix, trials have also started.
PT Indo Raya Tenaga tested, opens new tab ammonia co-firing in December at its Jawa 9 and
Jawa 10 coal-fired power plants in Banten.
South Korea's heavy equipment maker Doosan Enerbility signed an MOU, opens new tab with
Indonesia Power in September to supply the coal-fired Suralaya Power Station with ammonia.
Japan's IHI with PT PLN Nusantara Power co-fired, opens new tab ammonia at the gas-fired Gresik
Steam Power Plant in October 2022.
The new MoU between Doosan and the special commercial entity (Indo Raya Tenaga) will see the
pair develop a renewable ammonia supply chain to the plant. By 2027, the pair will also have
finalised a technical investigation into the conversion of Jawa 9 & 10 to co-fire with ammonia fuel.
This is also the year Doosan is targeting for commercialisation of its co-firing burner technology.
INDIA
Adani Power plans to co-fire up to 20% green ammonia in the Mundra Plant, India's largest private
sector power plant, it said in November, opens new tab.
As part of the project, the Mundra Plant, which is one of South Asia’s largest private sector power
plant, will co-fire up to 20% green ammonia in the boiler of a conventional coal fired 330MW Unit.
Green ammonia, produced from green hydrogen, which in turn is produced through electrolysis
using renewable energy, would be a feedstock for the boilers. As ammonia contains no carbon,
there is no CO2 emission from its combustion, making it a long-term carbon-neutral alternative to
fossil fuels.
Adani Power has already set a benchmark in the industry for ‘per-unit’ emissions and has adopted
state of the art ‘Ultra Supercritical technology’ in its newest plants.

Adani Power has partnered with IHI and Kowa-Japan to deliver the pilot and examine expansion to
other APL units and stations as well.
Kowa is active in energy-saving and energy-creating products, while IHI is a heavy industry
company which has ammonia firing technology. Combustion tests at IHI’s facility in Japan have
begun with a 20% ammonia blend, simulating Mundra Power Station equipment.
The partners believe that the results will be encouraging enough to implement this solution at the
Mundra Power Station once economic parity is achieved between both feedstocks. The Mundra
plant is the first location outside of Japan to have been selected for this cutting-edge green initiative.
MALAYSIA
Tenaga Nasional Berhad is conducting a study, opens new tab with IHI for an ammonia co-firing
project at its two thermal power plants in Perak a nd Negeri Sembilan.
Ammonia and hydrogen are expected to play a role in achieving goals set in Malaysia’s 12th
Malaysia Plan which declares that it will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% by 2030
and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
 Green Ammonia to co-fire a 330MW Unit at Mundra, Gujarat, India
 Green Ammonia combustion produces no CO2 emission; is more environment friendly
 APL is working with Japan’s IHI Corporation & KOWA for the pilot as part of NEDO project
 A key technological milestone achieved in simulating Mundra Plant boilers for combustion of
green ammonia at IHI’s Japan plant

JERA and IHI are working together on a grant from the New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organisation (NEDO) to establish the technology for co-firing 20% fuel ammonia at
the Hekinan Thermal Power Station and to conduct demonstration projects aimed at achieving a
co-firing ratio of more than 50%.
PHILIPPINES
JERA agreed to study, opens new tab ammonia co-firing at the Philippines' coal plants run by Aboitiz
Power Corp.
EGCO Group, Quezon Power and Doosan signed an MOU, opens new tab in February 2023 to study
ammonia co-firing at EGCO Group’s Quezon power plant in the Philippines.
Using ammonia to help lower carbon dioxide emissions at a coal plant in Quezon province might
end up causing more pollution and drive up electricity prices as well, residents and green energy
advocates.
Quezon Power Philippines (QPL), a subsidiary of Thailand-based EGCO Group, signed
a memorandum of understanding with South Korean firm Doosan Enerbility Co. to study the
feasibility of ammonia co-fired power generation at QPL's 460-megawatt plant in Mauban, Quezon
province.
EGCO Group said in a release that this is part of their strategy to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
SINGAPORE
Sembcorp Industries, IHI and GE Vernova’s Gas Power business have signed an MOU to explore
a potential retrofitting of Sembcorp’s Singapore Sakra power plant with ammonia-firing capabilities.

Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries and Japan’s IHI Corp have agreed for GE to join their efforts of
retrofitting the 815 MW Sakra cogeneration plant to ammonia co-firing.
Sakra was Singapore’s largest and most efficient CHP when commissioned in 2001 and the retrofit
is aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, said Sembcorp CEO Southeast Asia, Koh Chiap Khiong.
SOUTH KOREA
Idemitsu signed an MOU, opens new tab with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) which aims
to burn ammonia at its coal-fired plants.

Korean Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) is getting close to commercializing carbon-free power
generation technology based on hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) fuel blends.
It took the Korean utility 36 months to evaluate the limits of a gas turbine fired by hydrogen blends,
and just 30 months to develop an ammonia-based generation technology.
TAIWAN
IHI concluded an MOU, opens new tab with Taiwan Power Company (TPC) and Sumitomo
Corporation in February, to conduct ammonia co-firing demonstration tests at the Kaohsiung Talin
Power Plant.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed an MOU, opens new tab with TPC on November 2022 to
conduct a study on introducing ammonia co-firing at the Linkou Thermal Power Plant in New Taipei
City.
THAILAND
MHI signed an MOU, opens new tab in January to collaborate in a study for ammonia co-firing at a
coal-fired Thailand thermal power plant operated by BLCP Power, an independent power
producer and a joint venture between Banpu Power Public Company Limited and EGCO Group.

NewBase Energy News 25- March - Issue No. 1710 call on +971504822502, UAE
The Editor:” Khaled Al Awadi” Your partner in Energy Services
NewBase energy news is produced Twice a week and sponsored by Hawk Energy Service – Dubai, UAE.
For additional free subscriptions, please email us.
About: Khaled Malallah Al Awadi,
Energy Consultant
MS & BS Mechanical Engineering (HON), USA
Emarat member since 1990
ASME member since 1995
Hawk Energy member 2010
www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-al-awadi-38b995b
Mobile: +971504822502
khdmohd@hawkenergy.net or khdmohd@hotmail.com
Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with over 30 years of experience in the Oil & Gas
sector. Has Mechanical Engineering BSc. & MSc. Degrees from leading U.S.
Universities. Currently working as self leading external Energy consultant for the
GCC area via many leading Energy Services companies. Khaled is the Founder of
the NewBase Energy news articles issues, Khaled is an international consultant,
advisor, ecopreneur and journalist with expertise in Gas & Oil pipeline Networks,
waste management, waste-to-energy, renewable energy, environment protection
and sustainable development. His geographical areas of focus include Middle East,
Africa and Asia. Khaled has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in
the areas of Gas & Oil with extensive works on Gas Pipeline Network Facilities & gas
compressor stations. Executed projects in the designing & constructing of gas pipelines, gas metering &
regulating stations and in the engineering of gas/oil supply routes.
Has drafted & finalized many contracts/agreements in products sale, transportation, operation &
maintenance agreements. Along with many MOUs & JVs for organizations & governments authorities.
Currently dealing for biomass energy, biogas, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. He has
participated in numerous conferences and workshops as chairman, session chair, keynote speaker and
panelist.
Khaled is the Editor-in-Chief of NewBase Energy News and is a professional environmental writer with over
1400 popular articles to his credit. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable
energy, waste management, plant Automation IA and environmental sustainability in different parts of the
world. Khaled has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas Conferences and for many Energy program
broadcasted internationally, via GCC leading satellite Channels. Khaled can be reached at any time, see
contact details above.

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