05-07-2024

Samsung C&T to build first ammonia import terminal for co-firing power generation in Korea

Countries around the world are increasingly seeking cleaner energy sources. Generating electricity and powering our cities with cleaner resources is important for our health and the environment. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are great alternatives for energy production but rely heavily on weather conditions. Ammonia, a gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, is showing promise as a potential energy source for the energy transition.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Samsung C&T E&C Group is set to build South Korea’s first ammonia import terminal to supply co-firing fuel to an existing power generation facility in Gangwon-do, with construction set to be complete by July 2027.

Samsung C&T’s Ammonia Import Terminal for Co-firing Power Generation
Earlier this year, the Samsung C&T E&C Group announced that it signed an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract to build South Korea’s first ammonia import terminal for co-firing power generation. Co-firing is the process of generating electricity by combining more than one fuel type. The project comes as the demand for clean energy solutions in Korea and around the world increases.

The terminal will include facilities for storing, unloading, and transporting ammonia. A 30,000-ton storage tank will be used to compress and store ammonia for co-firing power generation. The terminal will also use a fuel blend comprised of at least 20% ammonia for co-firing with coal to reduce carbon emissions.

Safety First, Always
Safety is a key pillar for the Samsung C&T E&C Group’s operations, and this project is no exception. The ammonia import terminal will include a storage tank facility that will have a double wall structure instead of a single wall structure to ensure safety. To improve the safety of the storage tank, detection and blocking systems will be installed and real-time environmental material monitoring systems.

Reducing Emissions
Once complete, project owner Korean Southern Power CO.,Ltd. (KOSPO) expects the use of ammonia for co-firing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1.1 million tons per year and improve air quality.

Leading with Industry Expertise
The Samsung C&T E&C Group has extensive experience constructing energy storage facilities. Some of the group’s past projects include LNG tanks constructed in Malaysia, storage tanks in Qatar, and building three 180,000m3 storage tanks at Singapore’s first LNG terminal.

Samsung C&T E&C was able to successfully secure this project thanks to its optimal technological solutions as well as its international certification for the design technology of the world’s largest storage tank in cooperation with Whessoe Engineering Ltd., a UK-based energy storage facility design company and a subsidiary of Samsung C&T E&C.

At the forefront of ammonia co-firing facilities in South Korea, the Samsung C&T E&C Group hope to use this project to launch into new and renewable energy projects in Korea and abroad in the future.