A huge renewable hydrogen plant is to be built in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, expected to start producing in 2024.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has conditionally approved $47.5 million through its renewable hydrogen funding towards ENGIE Renewables Australia’s renewable hydrogen and ammonia project as part of the Yuri Renewable Hydrogen to Ammonia Project.
The Yuri project as an important step in Australia’s journey to become a major exporter of renewable hydrogen, says ARENA chief executive Darren Miller.
“Whether it’s for decarbonising fertiliser production, or for use as a zero emissions fuel, renewable hydrogen will be vital to reducing emissions in so called hard-to-abate sectors,” he says.
“It is also a huge export opportunity for Australia to provide clean energy and emissions free materials.”
The Yuri project will also receive $2 million from the Renewable Hydrogen Fund as part of the Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.
The $87 million Yuri project features a 10MW electrolyser, an 18MW solar system and an 8MW battery storage system – the plant supplying hydrogen and electricity to Yara Pilbara Fertilisers at its nearby liquid ammonia facility.
The plant is expected to be able to produce up to 640 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually. Most ammonia production uses hydrogen from fossil fuels.
Engie and Mitsui aim to run the Yuri project through a joint venture company.
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