MHI, EGAT sign MoU on hydrogen co-firing tech in Thailand

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct research on the introduction of hydrogen co-firing technologies for gas turbine power generation facilities in Thailand, MHI announced on 5 June.

The research aims to facilitate the conversion of thermal power plants to fire clean fuels, supporting Thailand's goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065.

This MoU will kickstart with a hydrogen co-firing pilot project at one of EGAT's power plants in Thailand. An initial feasibility study is scheduled to be conducted by March 2025. EGAT and MHI, with support from MHI's power solutions brand Mitsubishi Power, aim to achieve a hydrogen co-firing ratio of 20% at EGAT's request.

This agreement extends the ongoing partnership between MHI and EGAT to focus on hydrogen co-firing, building on an MoU signed in 2022 to research and exchange information on clean fuel power generation, clean hydrogen, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

As part of this earlier partnership, preliminary investigations of MHI's hydrogen co-firing technology using gas turbines at existing EGAT power plants were conducted. Additionally, EGAT is developing a hydrogen supply chain management strategic plan, encompassing transportation, storage, and distribution of hydrogen in Thailand.