Japan, Colombia team up on hydrogen, ammonia

State-owned Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) and Colombian state-controlled oil company Ecopetrol have agreed to strengthen their partnership, aiming to help enhance Colombia's hydrogen and ammonia sectors.

JBIC aims to promote future collaboration between Ecopetrol and Japanese firms through an initial deal signed on 8 June, including the development of a supply chain of hydrogen and ammonia, along with clean technology such as carbon capture and storage, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, as well as renewable energy sources.

Colombia is promoting its ample water supplies for green hydrogen production and natural gas resources for blue hydrogen. The country outlined its hydrogen roadmap in September 2021, including plans for the production, utilisation and exportation of the fuel towards 2050, JBIC said. Ecopetrol plans to invest up to $2.5bn by 2040 in hydrogen projects as it looks to decarbonise its operations.

By Motoko Hasegawa