Christmas Creek Renewable Hydrogen Mobility Project
Christmas Creek Renewable Hydrogen Mobility Project
Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) 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 –Fortescue’s hydrogen fuel cell electric truck is anticipated to be delivered to Christmas Creek in Fiscal Year 2024. |
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
Fortescue 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 renewables-based green hydrogen supply will be produced onsite through an electrolyser using electricity supplied by the recently completed 60 megawatt (MW) Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project undertaken with Alinta Energy at Fortescue’s Chichester Hub iron ore operations. A green 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 green 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.
Fortescue’s hydrogen fuel cell electric truck is anticipated to be delivered to Christmas Creek in Fiscal Year 2024 (covering the period 30 June 2023 – 1 July 2024).
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.
Updated: October 2023