Western Australia has allocated land and $5.5 million in new state funding to fast-track the development of the Mid West Hydrogen Hub, which it hopes to build into a “world class exporter” of renewable hydrogen.
The state’s Industrial Lands Panel has agreed to allocate land to six companies, including BP and Fortescue Futures Industries, to develop hydrogen-related projects at the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area, pending the finalisation of key terms.
The allocations are aimed at making the 6,400-hectare site, located roughly 400 kms north of Perth, a multi-product renewable hydrogen industrial hub.
State hydrogen minister Alannah MacTiernan followed this up with the announcement of $5.5 million in funding for planning works and studies associated with the hydrogen hub.
The funding includes $3 million for state-owned utility, Western Power, to conduct a feasibility study on electricity connection of the Oakajee SIA to the state’s main grid, the South West Interconnected System.
Also on the agenda are studies by port authorities into the export of hydrogen products from the region; further feasibility studies on hydrogen demand initiatives and common user infrastructure for the hub; and water supply studies.
“The Mid West Hydrogen Hub is key to unlocking the full potential of the Oakajee SIA,” MacTiernan said on Tuesday.
“The Mid-West has attracted international interest for its renewable hydrogen potential, and we are providing support needed to make these job-creating projects a reality.”
Western Australia last year committed $47.5 million to kick-start road works at the Oakajee site, calling it a first step towards developing a “globally competitive” renewable hydrogen precinct.
“The Oakajee SIA has received significant interest from major global hydrogen producers, and has the potential to not only transform our economy, but create more long-term jobs for Western Australians,” sais state development, jobs and trade minister Roger Cook on Tuesday.
“Clean and renewable energy is in strong demand globally, and we have the perfect mix of wind and solar potential that is the envy of the world right here in WA,” Cook said.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, also reportedly in talks to become an equity and co-development partner in the proposed $5 billion renewable energy hub in northern Queensland and a proponent of Australia’s first offshore wind project is also among the companies allocated land.
Green LOHC, Kinara Power and commodities group Blue Diamond Australia were also granted parcels for hydrogen energy development.
As reported in RenewEconony, WA has committed $160 million to hydrogen development and in August awarded a $10 million grant for a hydrogen refueller project proposed by Woodside Energy.
In Queensland, FFI’s private investment firm Squadron Energy has already started construction of the first stage of the Clarke Creek renewables hub in Queensland and is also building a hydrogen electrolyser factory with an initial capacity of 2GW a year.
BP in June said it had agreed to acquire a 40.5 per cent stake in the Asian Renewable Energy Hub, claiming it could become one of the world’s largest renewables and green hydrogen hubs.
