Large-scale green fuels hub planned for Western Australia

AN international consortium has announced plans to build a large-scale green fuels project in Western Australia that would use wind and solar power to meet hydrogen and ammonia demand.

The A$100bn (US$74bn) Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) could produce up to 50 GW of wind and solar power over 15,000 km² across the Shires of Dundas and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The hub will be built in phases with the aim of eventually producing 3.5m t/y of green hydrogen or 20m t/y of green ammonia when operating at full capacity. This will be for both domestic use and international exports. First production is expected by 2030 and the capacity of the initial phase has not been determined yet.

The consortium consists of InterContinental Energy, CWP Global, and Mirning Green Energy. Mirning Green Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation and has an equity stake in the project along with a permanent seat on the consortium board. WGEH aims to develop the project with respect for the Mirning community and its heritage.

Brendan Hammond, Chairman of the Board of WGEH said: “The Western Green Energy Hub is historic on two fronts. First, the scale at which we will be able to deliver green fuels to markets and customers around the world, helping to move us all towards a net-zero future. Second, and possibly more importantly, the way in which we are working with the Mirning People, the original owners of the land, to create a truly long-term and sustainable multi-generational partnership that delivers enormous socio-economic benefits for the community. It is an honour and a privilege to be involved in this groundbreaking project.”