Baker Hughes, a global energy technology company, has announced a Joint Development and Collaboration Agreement with Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean to develop a new small-size turbine designed for ammonia applications. The agreement, signed during the Baker Hughes 2025 Annual Meeting in Florence, aims to leverage Baker Hughes’ expertise in small-size gas turbines and Hanwha’s advanced ammonia combustion system.
The new ammonia turbine is designed for a range of applications, including marine propulsion, onshore and offshore energy projects, and power generation for both electric and mechanical drive systems. Ammonia is increasingly being recognised as a viable low-carbon fuel that can help decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, including maritime transport, oil and gas, and power generation.
As one of South Korea’s leading shipbuilders, Hanwha Ocean is expected to be a key beneficiary of this collaboration. The company plans to adopt the ammonia turbine as a propulsion system for its future vessels, contributing to the wider goal of maritime decarbonisation.
Hanwha has already achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing a proof-of-concept combustor using 100 percent ammonia as fuel. Meanwhile, Baker Hughes completed initial feasibility studies for the turbine in 2024. The two companies plan to complete full-scale engine testing by the end of 2027, after which the turbine—expected to deliver approximately 16MW of power—will become commercially available.
Industry Leaders Drive the Energy Transition
Commenting on the collaboration, Alessandro Bresciani, senior vice president of climate technology solutions at Baker Hughes, highlighted the importance of industry partnerships in achieving decarbonisation goals.
“Decarbonising hard-to-abate industries and transportation is one of the most pressing but high-potential opportunities of our time. We believe fuel switching to ammonia will play a key role in achieving significant emissions reductions across these sectors, and to realise this ambition, the industry needs more partnerships such as this. Together, we will continue to lead by example and take energy forward,” said Bresciani.
James Shon, senior executive vice president and head of product strategy and technology at Hanwha Ocean, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This collaboration marks a significant turning point in accelerating the transition to low-carbon fuel propulsion in the global maritime industries.”
Nuno Kim, executive vice president and head of Hanwha Power Systems Ship Solution Division, also emphasised the role of partnerships in driving decarbonisation efforts, adding, “The transition to low-carbon fuels is a mission for everyone in the marine sector. We aim to play a key role in the decarbonisation of the sector, together with Baker Hughes, by supporting ammonia combustion and packaging systems.”
Baker Hughes is actively exploring how small-size gas turbines can facilitate the transition from diesel engines to ammonia- and hydrogen-powered alternatives. In January 2024, the company announced the successful completion of testing for the world’s first 100 percent hydrogen turbine, which is now commercially available and already generating orders.
With the development of this ammonia-powered turbine, Baker Hughes and Hanwha are taking a decisive step toward enabling cleaner energy solutions for the maritime and industrial sectors.
For more information visit www.bakerhughes.com
