Japan, Russia join forces on ammonia, hydrogen

Japan and Russia are set to work together to explore and develop projects on ammonia and hydrogen, using carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

Japan's trade and industry ministry (Meti) and Russia's Novatek have agreed to provide mutual support for projects pertaining to the production and marketing of ammonia and hydrogen, as well as the implementation of CCUS technologies in Japan and Russia. The parties signed the deal today in the presence of Meti minister Hiroshi Kajiyama and Russian energy minister Nikolai Shulginov, as part of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia.

Meti and Novatek will exchange information and cooperate in research efforts, while implementing pilot projects to support decarbonisation. They will also provide state support to develop policies for carbon neutrality. Novatek sees the bilateral cooperation for climate projects helping support its strategy to further increase LNG production, while reducing its carbon footprint.

Separately, state-controlled Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) signed a strategic cooperation deal with Novatek today to push ahead with energy transition efforts. JBIC aims to create opportunities for Japanese companies to invest in greener projects such as hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage (CCS), CCUS, carbon recycling and renewables, while still ensuring stable energy supplies.

By Motoko Hasegawa