Western Australia is calling for global expressions of interest to develop a renewable hydrogen hub near Geraldton.
Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) is recognised for its world-class wind and solar energy potential, which is ideal for the production of renewable hydrogen for commercial uses including advanced manufacturing, energy storage and transport, and for future export of clean energy.
Located 435km north of Western Australia’s capital city of Perth, and 23km north of Geraldton, initial assessments indicate the 4,070-hectare Oakjee SIA buffer area could generate up to 270MW of wind power and 1,250MW of solar renewable energy at internationally competitive prices.
Western Australia’s government is casting the net worldwide for expressions of interest (EOI) from commercial groups looking to produce or use renewable hydrogen, which will help to turn the state’s vision for a globally competitive renewable hydrogen precinct into a reality.
The EOI will be targeted at international and Australian commercial groups including industrial proponents wanting to produce commercial quantities of hydrogen; hydrogen users such as transport, metals refining and ammonia-manufacturing companies; hydrogen industry component manufacturers; and power and other infrastructure providers.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, “Interest in renewable hydrogen is rapidly accelerating, and the state government is putting in place the framework to make Western Australia a world leader across the hydrogen supply chain.”
“Renewable hydrogen has the potential to be a major economic driver for the state, and the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area could truly transform the Mid-West region.”
“The state government is keen to work collaboratively with industry through the EOI process, and understand exactly what it will take to transform the area into a globally competitive producer and user of renewable hydrogen.”
The EOI process follows the WA Recovery Plan initiatives to bring forward the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy goals from 2040 to 2030, and the McGowan Government’s $22 million investment in developing WA’s hydrogen industry.
