Australian Renewable Energy Hub
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:
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| Other involvement:
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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:
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Project description
A project consortium (with bp as project Operator) is developing the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) project.
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 renewables-based hydrogen or nine million tonnes of (renewables-based) ammonia per annum.
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 renewables-based hydrogen and 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 (the project at that time, prior to bp assuming Operatorship, was known as the Asian Renewable Energy Hub). Media reporting indicates that the WA EPA recommendation for approval is for 15 GW of hybrid renewable generation capacity.
In May 2024, the project was granted Major Project Status by the Australian Government (expiry May 2027) with such projects receiving assistance from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency in navigating their major Australian Government approvals.
Updated (based on accessed publicly available information): August 2024