Infinite Green moves on $4bn hydrogen hub
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Infinite Green Energy has taken a major step towards bringing its $4 billion hydrogen facility proposal in the Mid West to fruition, lodging the plans with the state’s environmental watchdog.
The Perth-based company plans to clear 139.3 hectares of vegetation to make way for the facility, which is expected to produce 25 tonnes of green hydrogen daily using wind and solar power and be the largest of its kind in Australia.
The Arrowsmith Hydrogen Project comprises a solar farm spanning more than 130 hectares, 25 wind turbines, groundwater infrastructure, a processing plant and storage and offloading facilities.
The project is earmarked for four freehold lots in Arrowsmith with a combined area of 1,929 hectares, which were formerly used for sheep, cattle and goats grazing.
Once up and running, the plant will produce liquified compressed hydrogen using groundwater at the site, with the final product to be delivered to the state’s domestic energy and transport markets.
According to the company, the renewable energy supporting the hydrogen produced is expected to displace 118,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Infinite Green Energy is hoping to begin construction on the facility in the first quarter of 2023 ahead of the start of production operations in late 2025.
The project is expected to be built over several stages, the first of which is expected to cost between $550 million and $600 million.
Once completed, the facility is expected to have a capacity of 5GW and cost $4 billion.
But that timeline hinges on the company obtaining the necessary approvals and the availability of essential equipment.
Infinite Green Energy took a major step in filing the project proposal with the EPA, supported by a construction plan, details of the management plan for weeds, vegetation and fauna and the site’s eventual rehabilitation.
The proposal was released for seven days of public consultation, after which time the EPA’s chair expected to make a determination on what level of environmental assessment, if any, is required.