Design contract for $350m hydrogen plant

A decision on a $350 million renewable hydrogen plant is planned around February 2021, after Petrofac was picked for FEED work.

Infinite Blue Energy revealed plans to build the facility at Arrowsmith, near Dongarra, in May.

It would produce about 25,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen daily, powered by electrolysis.

Infinite said it hoped to have the plant operating by late 2022.

The company signed on a $300 million debt and equity term sheet with investors, led by a Chinese financier, in May.

While 25t/day would supply the domestic market, Infinite Blue has said it could scale up to 120,000kg/day which could be competitive for export markets.

“Through the completion of the Arrowsmith project and (Infinite’s) innovative business model, Australia can advance its interests on the global stage as a leader in the development of ground-breaking green hydrogen energy solutions and accelerate the creation of a major employment strategy and industry for Australia in the immediate future, chief executive Stephen Gauld said. 

Petrofac operations director Adam Cheesman said the project would break new ground in hydrogen production but elements of the plan were well established with proven technologies.