5 GW ¨green hydrogen¨ project proposed in Australia

Hydrogen Renewables Australia (HRA) has proposed the Murchison Renewable Hydrogen Project – a large scale (up to 5,000 MW) combined solar and wind farm to produce low-cost renewable hydrogen or ‘green hydrogen’ on Murchison House Station in Western Australia (WA).

Situated north of the coastal town of Kalbarri in WA’s mid-west region, the location is proposed as it has one of the best combinations of wind and solar capabilities in Australia that could facilitate cost-effective production of green hydrogen for local industry and global export. HRA has entered into a Heritage Agreement with the local Nanda Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) who have given formal support for the Section 91 Licence needed to allow resource monitoring process to proceed. HRA and NAC have commenced the development of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement that is planned to be finalized during 2020.

The Murchison Renewable Hydrogen Project is proposed to be developed in stages:

1. A demonstration phase providing hydrogen for transport fuels
2. An expansion to blend with natural gas in the nearby Dampier to Bunbury pipeline.
3. A large expansion to produce hydrogen for the Asian markets, notably Japan and Korea.

HRA has undertaken preliminary discussions with key representatives of the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments, the local Northampton Shire Council, the local Nanda Aboriginal Corporation and several other key local stakeholders. The project has received favourable initial response from key stakeholders. Comprehensive communication and stakeholder engagement process with the local community is being planned to commence in Kalbarri for November 2019.

The proposed plant’s technology partner Siemens welcomed the focus on hydrogen in Australia. Siemens Australia Pacific CEO Jeff Connolly said, “Australia has potential like no other country in the world for hydrogen production and export – as long as we act upon the opportunity quickly.”