Western Green Energy Hub

July 13th, 2023

Western Green Energy Hub

This project, which would cover the shires of Dundas and the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in south-east Western Australia, involves a very large-scale hybrid wind and solar development planned to be built in phases to meet mainly export-related hydrogen/ammonia demand.

Main proponents:

InterContinental Energy, CWP Global, Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation

 Main end-use classification:

Export markets main target

 Status:

Under development

 Estimated cost:

Around AUD$100 billion at full capacity (media reports)
Other involvement:

 

 Production details:

Up to 3.5 million tonnes of renewables-based hydrogen or around 20 million tonnes of (renewables-based) ammonia per annum at full capacity

 Location:

Western Australia, Australia

 Announced funding:

 

Project description

The project proponents have announced plans for a very-large hybrid wind and solar development which, when fully operational, could produce up to 50 gigawatts (GW) of renewable-based power over 15,000 square kilometres in south-east Western Australia.

Infrastructure for the planned project would be developed in stages over a 15-year period and at full operations would have the capacity to produce up to 3.5 million tonnes of renewables-based hydrogen or around 20 million tonnes of (renewables-based) ammonia per annum.

The planned output would be targeted mainly for the export market as the ‘green fuels’ market expands post-2030, though the project would have the capability to supply domestic end-use markets.

Press reports indicate that first production from the project would be anticipated by 2030 (with the option of constructing an offshore facility to transfer fuels to ships to be evaluated) and at full capacity could cost around AUD$100 billion.

In December 2021, the Western Australian Government announced the project would receive Lead Agency Services from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

In July 2023, it was announced that the Western Green Energy Hub and Korea Electric Power Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding towards a Joint Development Agreement for the production of renewables-based hydrogen in Australia.

 

Updated: July 2023