Early Production System: MEG-HP1

Early Production System: MEG-HP1

The project proponent is 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	Main end-use classification: Hydrogen mobility	Status: Under development – first production is targeted for the latter part of 2024	Estimated cost:
Other involvement:	Production details: 10 megawatt (MW) of electrolyser capacity with a nameplate production capacity of 4.4 tonnes of hydrogen per day	Location: Western Australia, Australia	Announced funding:

Project description

In March 2022, it was announced that Infinite Green Energy would acquire the Northam Solar Farm, located approximately 100 kilometres east of Perth. The 10 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 project proponent is expanding the solar farm with a further 7.3 MW of additional capacity and is also looking to add 4 x 3 MW wind turbines as part of the project development. The wind turbines would come online at a later part of the project development based on approvals.

The acquisition of the solar farm is a step in support of the development of a 10 MW electrolyser planned to be located in close proximity to the solar farm. Nameplate hydrogen production capacity of the facility is estimated at 4.4 tonnes per day.

Hydrogen production offtake is focussed on the heavy transport sector, targeting back-to-base logistics operators and local governments with in-depot refuelling.

In August 2022, it was reported that the project proponent would work with Refuel Australia to construct a hydrogen refuelling station at its MEG HP1 project in Northam. The report also noted that the project proponent had secured additional land that provides the option to double daily production capacity.

The project is undergoing Front End Engineering Design (FEED), awarded to Technip, and which is expected to be finalised in early 2023. The project proponent is finalising its strategic partners and targeting a final investment decision in mid-2023.

 

Updated: December 2022