Early Production System: MEG-HP1
Early Production System: MEG-HP1
The project proponents are progressing a renewables-based hydrogen production plant planned to be located in close proximity to the Northam Solar Farm, east of Perth, with the hydrogen produced targeted for use in the heavy transport sector.
| Main proponents:
Infinite Green Energy Ltd, Samsung C&T |
Main end-use classification:
Hydrogen mobility |
Status:
Under development – FEED is completed with detailed design initiated, EPC/EPCM tender documents being prepared, first production is targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The project is currently in the early FEED stage for fuel stations designs. |
Estimated cost:
AUD$127 million – Project (first phase) |
| Other involvement:
|
Production details:
10-megawatt (MW) of electrolyser capacity with a production capacity of up to 4 tonnes of hydrogen per day. The project is capable of running at 100% in the day with night tine operation reliant on a combination of grid connection and battery storage. A transmission line planned upgrade in late 2028 would allow the plant to run at full capacity 24/7. |
Location:
Western Australia, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$5 million – Western Australian Government Investment Attraction Fund |
Project description
In March 2022, it was announced that Infinite Green Energy (IGE) would acquire the Northam Solar Farm, located approximately 100 kilometres east of Perth. The 11 MW Northam Solar Farm consists of 33,600 solar panels and is constructed over 25 hectares (around 0.25 km2). The Northam facility is already connected to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) with additional land secured for potential expansion.
The acquisition of the solar farm is a step in support of IGE’s hydrogen project in Northam. The MEG-HP1 hydrogen production plant, equipped with 10 MW electrolysers, would be located in close proximity to the solar farm. The electricity from the existing solar farm, plus planned solar expansion (11.8 MW), plus electricity from the grid would be used to produce hydrogen, estimated to be around up to 4 tonnes per day at full capacity. (Note: the project proponent advises that the distribution line is currently constrained to 8.0 MVA – until the Transmission line is upgraded to allow 100% production capacity.)
Hydrogen production offtake is initially focussed on the heavy transport sector, targeting back-to-base logistics operators and supporting the town of Northam with an initial hydrogen station. In August 2022, it was reported that the project proponent would work with Refuel Australia who will manage the scheduling, cartage and distribution of the hydrogen on a charge per truck basis.
In February 2023, it was reported that Samsung C&T would be an equity partner in the project.
In July 2023, the Western Australian Government announced a funding award of AUD$5 million towards two five MW electrolysers to establish a hydrogen production eco-system, hydrogen storage compression technology and general construction.
A Development and Buildings application has been submitted; however, the project proponent advises that the initial approvals were rejected based on the definition on the use of land category which currently is written for solar and wind. The project proponent advises that additional uses such as hydrogen and ammonia will be part of a revised planning matrix and that it is working with the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and will submit the full application through the State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) process.
The project proponent advises it resubmitted the Development application via the SDAU approval process, and that the public consultation phase of the project was completed in early March 2025. The project proponent advises the estimated SDAU project approval determination is early May 2025.
The first phase of the project is expected to cost AUD$127 million.
Reviewed (reviewed by a project proponent): March 2025