Christmas Creek Renewable Hydrogen Mobility Project
Christmas Creek Renewable Hydrogen Mobility Project
The Fortescue Metals Group is to replace its existing fleet of diesel coaches at its Christmas Creek iron ore mine in the Pilbara region with hydrogen fuel-cell powered coaches.
| Main proponents:
Fortescue Metals Group |
Main end-use classification:
Hydrogen mobility |
Status:
Under construction – project operations date is early 2022 |
Estimated cost:
AUD$32 million |
| Other involvement:
|
Production details:
Hydrogen production – Installed electrolysers will have capacity to produce up to 180 kilograms of hydrogen per day |
Location:
Western Australia, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$2 million – Western Australian Government Renewable Hydrogen Fund (capital works project) |
Project description
The Fortescue Metals Group is to replace its existing fleet of diesel coaches at its Christmas Creek iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia with ten full-size hydrogen fuel-cell powered coaches.
New York-based Hyzon Motors has been selected as supplier of the custom build hydrogen fuel-cell coaches.
The renewable hydrogen supply will be produced onsite through an electrolyser using electricity supplied by the 60 megawatt (MW) Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid project presently under construction by Alinta Energy at Fortescue’s Chichester Hub iron ore operations. A hydrogen refuelling station will be included under the project facilities.
In October 2020, it was announced that BOC, a subsidiary of Linde plc, will provide the hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure for the project:
- BOC will supply two 700 kilowatt (kW) ITM electrolysers; the electrolysers will have capacity to produce up to 180 kilograms of hydrogen per day
- BOC will also supply a Linde hydrogen refuelling station at the Pilbara site.
The facilities are expected to be completed by early 2022.
Milestones
August 2020: The Western Australian Government announces AUD$2 million in funding allocated to Fortescue’s Renewable Hydrogen Mobility project in the Pilbara region.
October 2020: Announced that BOC will provide the hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure for the project.
Last reviewed: July 2021