Australian Renewable Energy Hub

May 10th, 2024

Australian Renewable Energy Hub

The Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) will be a phased development located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project intends to supply renewable power to local customers in the Pilbara, a large mining region, and produce green hydrogen for the domestic Australian market and for export to major international users.

Main proponents:

bp (Operator), CWP Global, Intercontinental Energy

 Main end-use classification:

Local potential in the Pilbara (renewable power and green hydrogen)

Export potential (green hydrogen)

 Status:

Under development

 Estimated cost:

 
Other involvement:

 

 Production details:

At full scale, the project aims to develop 26 GW total generating capacity from wind and solar power and produce around 1.6 million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum

 Location:

Western Australia, Australia

 Announced funding:

 

Project description

A project consortium (with bp as project Operator) is developing the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) project. The project was formally known as the Asian Renewable Energy Hub.

The proposal is to construct and operate a large-scale wind and solar renewable energy facility about 220 kilometres east of Port Hedland, in the northwest of Western Australia.

The project would be developed over multiple phases and at full scale, the AREH aims to:

  • Develop 26 GW total generating capacity from wind and solar power. This is the equivalent of producing over 90 terawatt hours per annum.
  • Produce around 1.6 million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum.
  • Abate around 17 million tonnes of carbon in domestic and export markets annually.

The project would be situated on a 6,500-square kilometre site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with access to abundant solar and wind resources.

The project intends to supply renewable power to local customers in the largest mining region in the world and also produce green hydrogen and green ammonia for the domestic Australian market and export.

Following assessment of materials submitted to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WA EPA), in October 2020, a Ministerial Statement approved the assessed development proposal subject to the implementation of the conditions and procedures included in the Statement. Media reporting indicates that the WA EPA recommendation for approval is for 15 GW of hybrid renewable generation capacity.

 

Updated (based on accessed publicly available information): May 2024