Funding next steps agreed for Western Australia hydrogen hub

Funding next steps agreed for Western Australia hydrogen hub | Windpower Monthly

The proposal, known as the Asian Renewable Energy Hub, aims to build and operate a large-scale wind and solar renewable energy facility on a site with access to abundant solar and wind resources, about 220km east of Port Hedland, on the traditional lands of the Ngarluma and Kariyarra people.

At full scale, the hub will comprise 26GW of generating capacity from wind and solar power, generating 90TWh and producing 1.6Mt of green hydrogen per year.

The hub will be operated by BP, which took a 40.5% shareholding in the project in 2022 and became its operator when its original partner, Vestas, exited.

Construction on a road and intersection will start this year, with the hub planned to become operational in mid-2028.

The state wants the Pilbara hydrogen hub to be a major centre for hydrogen production and export, with the potential to become an international gateway to Australian-made green steel and iron.

The combined $A140 million (US$91.5 million) investment will include training in renewable energy and hydrogen for Pilbara residents.

Western Australia premier Roger Cook said the project would produce hydrogen on Asia's doorstep, “helping to strengthen and diversify our economy for the future”.

The Australian government's investment is part of its regional hydrogen hubs programme, which totals half a billion Australian dollars for hubs in Kwinana, Gladstone, Townsville, Bell Bay, Port Bonython and the Hunter.

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