Tiwi H2

August 22nd, 2023

Tiwi H2 

Provaris is planning the development of a large-scale green hydrogen export project on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia, to be developed in a phased approach and integrated with a fleet of its proprietary compressed hydrogen carriers.

Main proponents:

Provaris Energy Ltd

 Main end-use classification:

Export potential

 Status:

Under development – a final investment decision is targeted for late 2024/early 2025

 Estimated cost:

 
Other involvement:

 

 Production details:

At peak capacity, 90,000 tonnes per annum of hydrogen production. Initial phase is targeting up to 50,000 tonnes per annum of hydrogen production, subject to market demand.

 Location:

Northern Territory, Australia

 Announced funding:

 

Project description

Provaris has announced plans to develop a green hydrogen export project located on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, with a phased capacity up to 2.6 Gigawatts (GW) of solar generating capacity, producing up to 90,000 tonnes per annum of renewables-based hydrogen at peak hydrogen production/export.

The Tiwi Islands are located along the northern most part of Australia, with access to existing port infrastructure and the industrial precinct at Port Melville and export markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

The project proponent is evaluating a staged approach to construction, which would move in parallel with the development and full class approval program for its compressed hydrogen carrier and the development of off-take markets in South-East Asia:

  • Subject to market demand, two phases of development are proposed with installed solar generation and hydrogen generation commencing with a fleet of H2 Neo compressed hydrogen carriers.
  • Expanding to 2.6 GW of installed solar capacity (consistent with 90,000 tonnes per annum of peak hydrogen production) as the regional hydrogen market grows and supply chain efficiencies improve. Larger capacity H2Max carriers may be introduced as required to match future supply and longer-distance demand locations (e.g., Korea and Japan)

As of December 2023, key project status parameters included:

  • In April 2023, the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority finalised and issued its term of reference for the project. The project proponent has advised that the terms of reference for the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation process has also been finalised, and that a joint Environmental Impact Statement would be developed through to final approvals with planned lodgement in early 2024.
  • Owners Engineer’s completion of the Design Feasibility Report, allowing the project to progress optioneering and design optimisation.
  • Proposed draft project and land agreements, including proposed community benefits package, have been submitted to the Tiwi Land Council for review and comment.
  • Progress discussions with potential joint venture partners through to Front-end Engineering and Design (FEED) and a future final investment decision.

Water requirements (feed water and cooling) for the electrolyser facility will be from small-scale desalination of sea water sourced from the Apsley Strait.

Financial close for the project is targeted for late 2024/early 2025, with first hydrogen export targeted to commence in early 2028, subject to all commercial and regulatory approvals and customer offtake.

In August 2022, the Northern Territory Government announced the project had gained Major Project Status.

 

Reviewed: February 2024