The ammonia-blended power generation method of coal-fired power plants, which is being promoted by the Japanese and South Korean governments, is being used as a means to sustain coal-fired power generation, contrary to the slogan of “carbon-free power generation”.

According to the Korean government’s plan, by 2030, 20% ammonia co-firing (based on calorific value) will be applied to existing coal-fired power generators, but the remaining 80% will still be used as coal fuel, which means that the greenhouse gas reduction effect will be only 20%. Ammonia co-firing in coal-fired power plants justifies the extension of the lifespan of coal-fired power. However, this transition has the potential to reduce GHG emissions a maximum of only 20 %, and could have a huge adverse effect on air pollution.

Ammonia is a precursor to fine dust that forms fine dust in the atmosphere. As a result of calculating the fine dust emission for the power plants where the ammonia co-firing plan was announced, it was confirmed that the fine dust could be increased by 85% compared to the existing one by ammonia co-firing.

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