Kawasaki Heavy Industries has announced the launch of the world’s first commercial gas engine capable of burning a fuel blend that includes up to 30% hydrogen. This engine can burn a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. In doing so, it offers a practical solution for energy companies to reduce their carbon footprint without the need for major infrastructure changes. This was reported by Daily Galaxy.
In late September 2025, Kawasaki began accepting orders for its KG series hydrogen co-firing engine. This followed the company’s completion of a rigorous 11-month verification process at its Kobe Works facility.
The engine has been tested under real-world conditions to ensure that it can safely and efficiently integrate hydrogen into existing gas infrastructure. Therefore, this feature allows operators to adopt hydrogen use without needing to replace their current pipelines or storage systems.
Hydrogen is a cleaner fuel than natural gas, and using it in power generation is a part of Japan’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions. However, hydrogen infrastructure is still in the early stages of development. Large-scale hydrogen supply chains are not yet fully operational. By allowing power plants to burn a hydrogen-natural gas blend, the KG series engine offers a way to start reducing emissions now. Meanwhile, the hydrogen supply network continues to grow.
The engine can burn up to 30% hydrogen by volume, which makes it compatible with existing gas systems without requiring significant changes. This “drop-in” compatibility is important because it provides an easy transition to cleaner energy. Furthermore, power plants can use the engine to begin reducing emissions without waiting for a fully developed hydrogen infrastructure.
Kawasaki’s KG series is designed as a transitional technology, rather than a complete solution for hydrogen power. The engine is not yet capable of running on pure hydrogen. However, it is an important step in the right direction. The engine is intended for use alongside natural gas, making it a practical solution for facilities that already depend on gas-based power generation.
Another important feature of the KG series is its ability to retrofit older engines. Kawasaki confirmed that its previous KG series engines, which have been installed worldwide since 2011, can be upgraded to support hydrogen co-firing.
This allows operators to continue using their existing equipment while gradually reducing their carbon emissions over time. This approach saves money by avoiding the need to replace entire power plants. At the same time, it enables the use of cleaner fuels as they become more available.
This retrofitting option is a cost-effective way for companies to start using hydrogen and reduce emissions. It also helps avoid the significant capital expenditures that would be required for completely replacing older engines with new hydrogen-powered systems.
Using hydrogen as a fuel comes with some unique challenges. Hydrogen is highly flammable and has a small molecular size, which can cause leaks if not properly managed. To address this, the KG series engine is equipped with advanced safety features. These include hydrogen leak detectors and nitrogen purge systems, which ensure that the engine operates safely in all conditions.
The verification process, which ran from October 2024 to September 2025, focused on ensuring the engine’s safety, efficiency, and reliability. Engineers tested the engine’s ability to handle hydrogen safely. For instance, they monitored for leaks and ensured that the engine maintained its performance under various conditions.
While the engine itself is ready for commercial use, the availability of hydrogen remains a challenge. Japan imports most of its energy, and hydrogen infrastructure is still being developed. To address this, Kawasaki is also investing in hydrogen storage and supply infrastructure.
In partnership with Japan Suiso Energy, Kawasaki broke ground in November 2025 on a large-scale liquid hydrogen terminal in Ogishima. This terminal, which is expected to open by 2030, will be Japan’s first large-scale hydrogen import and storage hub.
The terminal will include a 50,000-cubic-meter cryogenic tank and systems for loading hydrogen onto ships and trucks. This facility will help Japan import and store hydrogen more efficiently. As a result, it will support the country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and transition to cleaner energy.
