A globally competitive renewable hydrogen precinct could soon become a reality in Western Australia's Mid-West, as expressions of interest open for the greenfields Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) near Geraldton.
The McGowan Government is casting the net worldwide for EOIs from commercial groups looking to produce or use renewable hydrogen, and WA will use its international offices to promote the opportunity globally.
Located 23 kilometres north of Geraldton, Oakajee SIA is recognised for its world-class wind and solar energy potential, which is ideal for the production of renewable hydrogen for commercial uses including advanced manufacturing, energy storage and transport, and for future export of clean energy.
Initial assessments indicate the 4,070 hectare Oakajee SIA buffer area could generate up to 270 megawatts of wind power and 1,250 megawatts of solar renewable energy at internationally competitive prices.
This supply could be supplemented at large scale with abundant land throughout the Mid-West region suitable for wind and solar power generation.
Oakajee SIA is connected to the State's major road network and existing Geraldton Port via the North West Coastal Highway, and there are provisions in place for the area to be linked to the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.
The EOI will be targeted at international and Australian commercial groups including industrial proponents wanting to produce commercial quantities of hydrogen; hydrogen users such as transport, metals refining and ammonia-manufacturing companies; hydrogen industry component manufacturers; and power and other infrastructure providers.
The EOI process follows the WA Recovery Plan initiatives to bring forward the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy goals from 2040 to 2030, and the McGowan Government's $22 million investment in developing WA's hydrogen industry.
Submissions close on December 24, 2020.
For more information, visit the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation's website at http://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/hydrogen
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Interest in renewable hydrogen is rapidly accelerating, and the State Government is putting in place the framework to make WA a world leader across the hydrogen supply chain.
"Renewable hydrogen has the potential to be a major economic driver for the State, and the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area could truly transform the Mid-West region.
"The State Government is keen to work collaboratively with industry through the EOI process, and understand exactly what it will take to transform the area into a globally competitive producer and user of renewable hydrogen."
