The Western Australian town of Northam could soon be home to Australia’s first large-scale green hydrogen plant under plans developed by Infinite Blue Energy. 

The company has acquired the existing 11 megawatt Northam Solar Farm from current owners Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and Bookitja Pty Ltd as trustee of the Ngangk Trust, and plans to use it to power a 10MW hydrogen electrolyzer and battery storage to produce up to 4 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.

This facility – to be known as MEG HP1 – will include a truck-offload terminal that will enable the supply of local back-to-base operations with future expansion to form its Zero Emissions Highway.

Green hydrogen produced from the plant will be partially consumed by WA based waste management companies for use in back-to-base refuse collection vehicles and in fleet vehicles local to the MEG H1 with MOUs in place and binding contracts being negotiated.

Chairman Peter Coleman said MEG HP1 will be a game-changing project for Infinite Blue Energy and lead the way towards its Arrowsmith project which is targeting production of about 25 tonnes a day for the mobility sector, with an opportunity for growth up to 125 tonnes a day as the market develops and export opportunities are pursued.

“This transaction with the owners of the Northam Solar Farm underlines our commitment to producing hydrogen only from renewable sources,” chief executive officer Stephen Gauld added.

“Leveraging existing renewable infrastructure will enable us to deliver the project more quickly and deliver more value for IBE shareholders.”

The project is currently undergoing front-end engineering and design (FEED) with a final investment decision to be made later this year and first hydrogen production expected before the end of 2023.

It will enable the state to take a leadership position in the use of renewable hydrogen in transport, which is one of the four strategic areas outlined under its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.

Western Australia Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the proposed plant was another positive step forward for renewable hydrogen in WA and would play an important role in stimulating early demand for the green gas.

“We see enormous potential for locally-generated renewable hydrogen to replace diesel in our heavy transport sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improving our fuel security,” she added.

“Indeed transport fuel probably offers one of the earliest opportunities for the emerging renewable hydrogen industry.”