JERA Co., Inc., Japan’s largest power generation company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea-based Samsung C&T Corporation to explore strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening the resilience and supply security of hydrogen and ammonia value chains. The partnership reflects the growing importance of low-carbon fuels in supporting energy security and decarbonization efforts across Asia.

Under the agreement, the two companies will examine ways to improve operational flexibility across hydrogen and ammonia supply chains. Their discussions will include approaches for managing and separating carbon intensity attributes within storage infrastructure, such as ammonia and hydrogen storage tanks. These efforts are expected to help create more reliable and efficient value chains as demand for cleaner fuels continues to increase.

Japan and South Korea both depend heavily on imported energy due to limited domestic energy resources. As both countries pursue ambitious energy transition goals, hydrogen and ammonia are expected to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions while improving long-term energy security. Developing resilient and commercially viable supply chains is considered essential for enabling the large-scale adoption of these fuels.

JERA is currently developing Japan’s first integrated low-carbon ammonia value chain, covering production, transportation, and end-use. The company is targeting the start of commercial operations around fiscal year 2029. Meanwhile, Samsung C&T is expanding its low-carbon ammonia infrastructure and strengthening supply chain capabilities in South Korea while continuing to grow its hydrogen business portfolio.

Both companies have also received recognition under their respective national initiatives supporting low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development. JERA was selected as a supplier of low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) price gap support scheme announced in December 2025. Samsung C&T is advancing projects to establish a stable clean ammonia supply chain in response to rising global demand.

The companies believe that combining their expertise and market positions will help build stronger hydrogen and ammonia value chains across the region. By working together, they aim to improve supply reliability while supporting the commercialization of low-carbon fuels in Northeast Asia.

Commenting on the partnership, Irtiza Sayyed, Senior Managing Executive Officer of JERA and CEO of JERA Global Energy Solutions, said that resilient and commercially viable hydrogen and ammonia value chains require collaboration between like-minded companies across different markets. He noted that Japan and South Korea face similar challenges as energy-importing nations and expressed confidence that the partnership with Samsung C&T would help develop stronger regional markets for low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia.

The collaboration also supports JERA’s Zero CO2 Emissions 2050 initiative, under which the company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its domestic and international operations by 2050 through partnerships and continued investment in low-carbon energy solutions.