Renewables developer Amp Energy selected to lead South Australian hydrogen precinct

AMP Energy has signed an agreement to develop and build a 5 GW green hydrogen production facility in South Australia’s Cape Hardy, where Iron Road is working to develop a green hydrogen and industrial port precinct with multi-commodity capability.

Iron Road selected Amp Energy as the lead green hydrogen developer in what is expected to be a multi-billion-dollar, world-leading hydrogen precinct. Amp plans to develop and build 5 GW of electrolyser capacity over the next decade in the precinct, delivering more that 5m t/y of green ammonia. The partners expect the project will establish South Australia as a global leader in the production of green hydrogen and ammonia.

The planned industrial hub, located in the Eyre Peninsula, will also accommodate a multi-purpose, multi-user, deep-sea port for hydrogen operations, along with mineral and grain exports. It is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs during the peak of development, and more than 1,000 once fully operational.

Amp’s selection marks the beginning of a nine-month exclusivity period to grow the multi-commodity and renewable energy project.

The port and industrial precinct will be delivered over a number of stages.

Peter Malinauskas, premier of South Australia, said the project complements the government’s commitment to hydrogen, through its hydrogen jobs plan. “The hydrogen opportunity will be transformative for the South Australian economy, delivering energy security – while helping the state decarbonise,” he added.

Cape Hardy

Cape Hardy is located on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and comprises 1,200 ha of undeveloped coastal land that is wholly owned by Iron Road.

Amp said it was attracted to the project due to its strategic geographic location and support from the South Australian government. It further notes that the site has direct access to high voltage power through existing transmission infrastructure, as well as the deep-water port that will facilitate transport of hydrogen product.

The federal government is expected to award A$25m (US$16.8m) in funding to develop the deep-sea port.