New test shows 100% ammonia can power gas turbines without carbon emissions
GE Vernova and Japan’s IHI Corp. have achieved a world-first by successfully testing 100% ammonia combustion for GE Vernova’s F‑class gas turbines.
The new milestone could play a key role in decarbonizing the energy sector, as it removes a major technical obstacle towards developing carbon-free dispatchable power. Ultimately, it could also help unlock ammonia as a better alternative to hydrogen.
GE Vernova and IHI’s decarbonization roadmap
The gas turbine test took place at IHI’s Large-Scale Combustion Test facility in Aioi Works, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The site, opened in June 2025, replicates exact F-class operating parameters, including pressure and temperature, as well as fuel and air flows.
GE Vernova and IHI Corp. have not published any specific nitrogen oxide levels or efficiency data. However, during the test, emission results matched those set out in the companies’ internal roadmap. That roadmap targets commercial availability of a 100% ammonia-fired F-class turbine by 2030.
Jeremee Wetherby, GE Vernova’s Carbon Solutions leader, said the achievement strengthens their development roadmap and highlights the strong collaboration with IHI.
“This achievement reinforces our development roadmap and underscores the strength of our collaboration with IHI,” he explained in a press statement. “We see significant potential for ammonia as a carbon-free combustion fuel and are energized to continue working together to help unlock its role in advancing global decarbonization.”
Noriaki Ozawa, IHI managing executive officer and president of the Resource, Energy and Environment Business Area, added: “The successful achievement of 100% ammonia combustion in a full-scale F-class gas turbine marks a major milestone and helps reinforce the decarbonization roadmap envisioned by our customers in the power sector.”
The ammonia advantage
Ammonia offers clear advantages over pure hydrogen. It contains no carbon, produces no CO₂ on combustion, and can be stored at −33°C, which is far easier than hydrogen’s −253°C requirement. Meanwhile, the existing global shipping infrastructure already moves about 10% of annual production.
However, technical challenges remain. Ammonia burns more slowly than natural gas, which can affect ignition and stability. Safety protocols for its toxicity are also required. The new test facility builds on IHI’s earlier 2-MW IM270 ammonia turbine work and GE Vernova’s combustion expertise.
GE Vernova and IHI Corp. began collaborating in 2021 through a memorandum of understanding. In 2023, they released a feasibility study showing that ammonia could cost less than liquid hydrogen for Japanese power plants when full supply-chain economics are considered. This progress led to a joint development agreement in January 2024. The agreement focuses on retrofittable combustors for 6F.03, 7F, and 9F turbine models.
Next, the two companies have stated that they will continue testing prototype combustors. If all goes to plan, full engine integration and field validation would then take place before commercial deployment in 2030.
