JERA and Uniper are collaborating to facilitate the development of the initial production of 2 million tons per annum (MTPA) of clean ammonia with expansion potential up to 8 MTPA, to accelerate the production and supply of zero-carbon fuels from the US for use in the US, Europe, Japan, and greater Asia.
The proposed facility on the US Gulf Coast, developed by JERA Americas and ConocoPhillips, aims to produce hydrogen and convert it into clean ammonia to be supplied to JERA and Uniper under long-term sale and purchase agreements, with Europe as the primary initial export market, and Uniper targeting about 1 MTPA of green ammonia from all sources by the end of the decade, according to a press release.
A project engineering study will be completed by year end to develop the first phase of the project which will assess green and blue hydrogen opportunities. It is expected to reach commercial operation in the late 2020s including a complete certified carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) program.
Both companies are working jointly to optimize their LNG portfolio, the release states. As a result, Uniper will be able to supply additional LNG to Germany and JERA to Japan and beyond.
Steven Winn, Chief Executive Officer of JERA Americas Inc. based in Houston said, “JERA is committed to providing cutting edge solutions to the world’s energy issues and is actively working to establish both the ammonia and hydrogen value chains. The combination of a skilled workforce, plentiful natural gas, abundant renewable resources, deep-water ports, and ideal CCS geology make the US Gulf Coast uniquely advantaged to produce the low carbon fuel to enable the Atlantic and Pacific energy markets transition. JERA and ConocoPhillips will be a low-cost ammonia supplier to domestic and international markets.”
Marc Merrill, President and CEO of Uniper North America added, “I do not think we can underscore enough the importance of continued strong global relationships, particularly at this extraordinary time for both energy security and the energy transition. Uniper North America highly values this opportunity to work closely with JERA Americas on core US infrastructure projects delivering both LNG and hydrogen.”
