Ammonia has the potential to play a significant role in addressing the need to decarbonise the global economy and meet ambitious zero-carbon goals. It promises to be the most cost-effective and practical ‘zero-carbon’ energy carrier in the form of hydrogen. This can reduce or eliminate carbon emissions from hard to abate industrial sectors like marine transportation, and fill supply gaps where there is a mismatch between the local supply and demand of renewable power.
There are several key countries and regions at the heart of the development of this sector. We have seen rapid growth in interest in new ‘green’ and ‘blue’ ammonia projects across the globe, but the US has become a hotspot for many new investments, boosted by supportive measures under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). On the demand side, ambitious plans to decarbonise the European economy have brought about strategic targets for hydrogen and ammonia demand, which could result in a massive scaling up of ammonia import volumes to the region. To the east, demand for ammonia to reduce the carbon intensity of power generation in Japan and South Korea looks set to rapidly expand over the coming years.
Despite significant optimism among most market participants, the pathway to realizing this market potential requires overcoming significant hurdles and uncertainties. As with most decarbonisation measures, using clean ammonia comes at a higher cost than its carbon intensive alternatives, and for many use cases, there is insufficient clarity over how the affordability gap can be bridged. In the US, the new administration has brought with it some doubts over the future of clean ammonia support measures like those included in IRA.
In this webinar, our panelists will share their insights on clean ammonia market development to date, and their expectations for the future, including an assessment of the sector's ability to meet its challenges.
This event will be a virtual session via Zoom Webinar from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM ET. Additional details will be provided to registered attendees prior to the session.
SPEAKERS
Akshay Bhardwaj
Akshay Bhardwaj leads the origination and business development portfolio for Lower Carbon Ammonia at Woodside Energy as Head of Origination & Market Development, Ammonia and is based out of London. Woodside Energy is developing a 1.1 million tonne per annum lower carbon ammonia project in Beaumont, Texas, USA with scope for development of another 1.1 million tonne per annum lower carbon ammonia project at the same site.
Previously, Akshay was Heading the Commercial Business Development function for Global Ammonia at OCI Global. His responsibility included commercialization of ~ 2.3 million tonne per annum sustainable ammonia portfolio globally. Before that, Akshay led the Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia BU for ACME Group (one of India’s largest Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers) and led commercialization of their green ammonia portfolio including ~ 1.2 million tonne per annum green ammonia project at Port of Duqm, Oman.
Akshay has also worked as Director at FTI Consulting, where he successfully delivered multiple hydrogen consulting projects across APAC, EU and North Africa market, and was part of the Strategy Consulting Insights (SCI) team at Shell.
Naoki Tsutsumi
Mr. Naoki Tsutsumi has been serving as Chief Strategy Officer at JERA Americas Inc., since August 2024. He is responsible for driving the company’s strategic initiatives, focusing on transforming the energy sectors. Previously, he was Executive Officer, Head of the Hydrogen & Ammonia Upstream Business Group in the Low Carbon Fuel Value Chain Division at JERA Co., Inc. (JERA), where he led upstream investment and transportation of Hydrogen/Ammonia, contributing to the company’s commitment to sustainable energy.
Since joining JERA in 2018, Mr. Naoki Tsutsumi has been responsible for the JERA’s overseas power and energy infrastructure business where he successfully managed large-scale energy infrastructure projects. Prior to 2018, he spent 22 years with Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., focusing primarily on overseas Independent Power Producer (IPP) business development. His international experience includes working in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the Umm Al Nar IWPP Project from 2003 to 2006, and serving as Senior Vice President at Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO) in Thailand from 2013 to 2016 as a secondee. Mr. Naoki Tsutsumi holds both a B.E. and an M.E. in civil engineering from Kyoto University.
Jack Merriott
Jack Merriott leads the Argus Consulting practice in low-carbon fuels - clean hydrogen and derivatives, supporting project developers in understanding markets and advising lenders on investments. Jack has 16 years’ experience in strategy consulting, strategic planning and market intelligence, spanning fertilizers, industrial products and consumer goods. Prior to joining Argus, he was a Manager at Integer Research with responsibility for consulting projects in Europe and the America. Jack is a graduate of Oxford University and is fluent in French and Spanish.
MODERATORS
Louise Burke
Louise Burke is currently working for Argus Media on strategic business initiatives for the company. Prior to this, Ms. Burke was President and before that Executive Director of the NY Energy Forum, and president of J.C. Energy, an energy consulting firm. She has worked extensively in the energy sector analyzing pricing and markets for Mobil Oil Canada, Alberta Energy Company and Petroleos DeVenezuela. In addition, as Vice-President, Marketing for the New York Mercantile Exchange she supervised major energy and metals futures and options product launches and was closely involved in the successful growth of energy commodity markets. Ms Burke has also been affiliated with the SIPA energy program at Columbia University, New York as an instructor in the area of petroleum markets trading since 2008. Ms. Burke holds a BA honors economics degree from the University of Alberta and an MBA from New York University.
Oliver Hatfield
Oliver Hatfield is VP Business Development for Argus Media in London. Oliver has more than 20 years of experience in business analysis and consulting. He has been spearheading Argus coverage of the growing market for clean ammonia and its significant potential as an energy carrier. Oliver is a graduate of economics and development economics from the University of Manchester in the UK.
PROGRAM
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET: Presentation and Discussion
COST
This session is complimentary for all attendees. Registration is required for event link details.