TOKYO, Japan – CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (June 23, 2025) – IHI Corporation and GE Vernova Inc. announced the completion of a new Large-scale Combustion Test (LCT) facility at IHI’s Aioi Works site in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, marking another step forward in the development of ammonia-fueled gas turbine technology.

The project is part of the companies’ Joint Development Agreement signed in 2024, which focuses on creating a next-generation combustion system capable of enabling GE Vernova’s F-Class gas turbines to operate on up to 100% ammonia by 2030.

The newly completed testing complex is designed to simulate real operating conditions for GE Vernova F-Class turbines, including pressure, airflow, fuel delivery, and temperature parameters. Beginning in the summer of 2025, IHI plans to launch a series of full-scale ammonia combustion tests using prototype combustors developed for the program.

The initiative is expected to contribute to the global energy transition by supporting fuels that can significantly reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide emissions during combustion. Because ammonia contains no carbon, it can serve as a carbon-free fuel option for future thermal power generation systems.

“This achievement represents an important milestone in the technology roadmap established between IHI and GE Vernova,” said Kensuke Yamamoto, Executive Officer and Vice President of Business Development at IHI. “Our objective is to develop a combustion system capable of operating entirely on ammonia by the end of the decade.”

Yamamoto noted that IHI has already developed the IM270 gas turbine, a 2-megawatt unit capable of operating on 100% ammonia fuel. Experience gained from that project is expected to support the development of larger-scale combustion technologies at the new testing facility.

According to IHI, the LCT facility will become a central hub for ammonia combustion development activities carried out jointly with GE Vernova. The program combines IHI’s expertise in ammonia combustion with GE Vernova’s global engineering and combustion research capabilities, including experience from the company’s advanced combustion testing center in Greenville, South Carolina.

Jeffrey Goldmeer, Senior Director of Technology Strategy at GE Vernova, said the announcement signals a transition from conceptual ammonia value-chain studies toward practical engineering and commercial deployment efforts.

“This collaboration moves the industry closer to real-world decarbonization solutions for thermal power generation,” Goldmeer explained. “The goal is to create pathways that reduce carbon emissions while protecting and extending the value of existing power generation infrastructure.”

Ammonia is already widely used in industries such as fertilizer production and chemical manufacturing. It is also increasingly viewed as an efficient carrier for hydrogen because it can simplify transportation and storage compared to pure hydrogen systems.

In the power sector, ammonia is attracting attention as a potential carbon-free fuel alternative since it produces no direct carbon dioxide emissions during combustion. Developers believe this could help accelerate efforts to reduce emissions from large-scale electricity generation.

About IHI

IHI traces its origins to Japan’s first modern shipyard established in 1853 and has since expanded into multiple industrial sectors, including energy systems, industrial machinery, aerospace, infrastructure, and defense technologies. The company is actively developing ammonia combustion technologies and working on carbon-free ammonia supply chains to support industrial decarbonization and cleaner power generation.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a global energy company operating across power, electrification, and wind sectors, supported by accelerator businesses focused on advanced energy technologies. With more than 130 years of industrial experience, the company aims to help drive electrification and decarbonization worldwide. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova employs approximately 85,000 people across around 100 countries.

GE Vernova’s Gas Power division develops advanced natural gas technologies, power generation systems, and decarbonization solutions designed to support lower-carbon electricity production. The business is recognized as one of the world’s largest suppliers of gas turbine technology and power plant services.

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