Banpu Power Public Company Limited (BPP), a leading power-generating company for a sustainable world with a balanced portfolio in both thermal power and renewable power businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, led by Mr. Kirana Limpaphayom, Chief Executive Officer, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO Group), BLCP Power Limited, JERA Co., Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., to assess the feasibility of ammonia co-fired power generation at the BLCP power plant to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This collaborative effort aligns with the Company's direction in its power generation and distribution which prioritizes the reduction of environmental impacts and contributions to energy security. The MOU was signed during the 5th Japan-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue (5th JTEPD) meeting between Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and Thailand's Ministry of Energy, held on January 12, 2023, at the Ministry of Energy in Bangkok.
The feasibility study will be conducted for the BLCP power plant's two operating units, including the development of supply chain improvements for the manufacture and delivery of ammonia, with up to 20% of ammonia to be used in the co-firing system, and the evaluation of both short and long-term economic outcomes. In addition, the BLCP power plant also signed a MOU with Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation to assess the validity of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) for both operating units.
Mr. Kirana Limpaphayom, Chief Executive Officer of BPP, said, "In the past years, the BLCP power plant, in which BPP owns a 50% share, has played an integral role in the country's economic development in accordance with Thailand's Power Development Plan (PDP), which is well-recognized for strengthening the stability of the power system and sustaining a balance in electricity production and consumption in the country. The feasibility study of the ammonia co-firing system and use of CCUS at the BLCP power plant marks another significant step highlighting BPP's commitment to a sustainable energy transition in becoming a more environmentally friendly power producer, together with our adherence to a Greener & Smarter strategy and ESG-based business practices which remain our top priorities. Additionally, this is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: Fostering innovation for greener energy."
The feasibility study on the use of ammonia as the fuel for the coal fired power plant aims to receive the financial support from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) with technological support from leading Japanese companies, including JERA Co., Inc., which is responsible for the development of the ammonia supply chain; and Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., which are responsible for assessing the feasibility study's economic outcomes towards preliminary capital costs and operating costs to ensure the BLCP power plant's readiness.
Participating in the feasibility study with governmental support and private sector synergies reflects positively on BPP as a company that values power generation and distribution through an approach that incorporates and balances the three dimensions of the 'Balancing Triangle' (Economic - Environment - Security of Supply) providing economic value, environmentally friendly supply, and energy security to reinforce the Company's mission to continuously deliver quality megawatts (quality electric power). This is taking place simultaneously with innovations and technological promotions that support the country's energy security while reducing environmental impacts benefiting society overall.
Learn more about BPP's business via www.banpupower.com
Remark:
The BLCP power plant, which has a generation capacity of 1,434 megawatts using high-quality bituminous coal as fuel, is located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand. The plant is a joint venture (50:50) between Banpu Power Public Company Limited (BPP) and Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO Group).