Green hydrogen-powered buses, concrete mixers, rubbish trucks, and road trains could soon become a reality in Western Australia within the next 18 months. The proposal for a new green hydrogen plant near Perth, in Northam, is expected to be the country’s first commercially viable producer of green hydrogen for vehicles. To support the project, the state government has granted $5 million.
Infinite Green Energy (IGE) is the project’s owner, in collaboration with Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction and Doral Energy Group. The facility aims to produce four tonnes of hydrogen daily, providing enough renewable energy to power 78 Class 8 heavy haul trucks. IGE’s CEO, Stephen Gauld, emphasized their focus on the heavy haul market, with future plans to supply green electricity to data centres as the Northam site expands.
Over the next 18 months, IGE plans to expand the Northam Solar Farm, construct five wind turbines, several single-story buildings, a hydrogen plant, and a hydrogen fuel station. Pending approvals from relevant authorities, earthworks are set to commence in October, and the plant could be operational by late 2024 or early 2025. Local contractors will play a significant role in the construction process.
The project has faced challenges in accommodating its workers due to the region’s housing shortage. As a temporary solution, IGE is running a shuttle bus from Perth to transport workers daily, and they may consider establishing a small camp at the site during construction. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ around 200 people.
This Northam plant is envisioned as a demonstration facility for IGE’s larger project, the Arrowsmith Hydrogen Plant in Dongara, scheduled to come online in 2028. The latter is anticipated to power at least 700 road trains daily, making it one of the largest green hydrogen plants in Australia.
Several other green hydrogen projects are also planned in Western Australia, including the Oakagee hub, focused on exports, and the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, producing hydrogen and ammonia near Karratha.
Green hydrogen is seen as essential in achieving net-zero emissions. It is produced through electrolysis, using renewable energy from solar and wind farms to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. The only by-product when used is steam, making it an environmentally friendly option, especially for difficult-to-decarbonize sectors like heavy industry, manufacturing, and bulk transport.
Despite the potential benefits of green hydrogen, regulatory barriers and past energy policies in Australia have hindered its widespread adoption. Experts stress the urgent need for more renewable energy to decarbonise key export industries and avoid potential international trade barriers imposed by countries with stricter emission standards.
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