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Woodside collaborates to drive development of local H2 market

Woodside Energy, BGC and Centurion, with the support of the Western Australian Government, are advancing plans for a proposed self-contained H2 production, storage and refueling station, located in the Rockingham Industry Zone.

The project was successful in the Expressions of Interest stage of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s approximately $7-MM H2 fueled transport program. The Program aims to accelerate the uptake of H2 fueled transport, build local skills and capability, and stimulate local H2 production.

With matched funding from Woodside, the proposal targets delivery of H2 fuel at a globally competitive price of $7.5 MM/kg and subsidizes several large H2 fuel cell electric vehicles. The project would be located adjacent to Woodside’s proposed H2Perth project, a proposed domestic and export-scale H2 and ammonia production facility.

The Hydrogen Refueller H2Perth aims to:

  • Supply low cost, renewable H2 fuel for local customers
  • Stimulate and enable H2 demand in Western Australia
  • Support State Government objectives for H2 to be a significant fuel source for transportation

by 2030.

H2 is proposed to be produced using a 2-megawatt electrolyzer, powered by renewable energy

sourced from the Southwest Interconnected System. Production will be timed to occur during periods of excess solar in the grid and stored on-site. Where needed, Woodside will also use Renewable Energy Certificates.

Initially, Woodside is targeting production of 235 kg/d of H2 at the Hydrogen Refueller with the potential to scale up to a targeted 800 kg/d.

Hydrogen Refueller H2Perth will be available to industrial customers, as well as the public. Through the program, H2 is targeted to be made available at a globally competitive price of $7.5/kg for a 10-year period.

Woodside has signed conditional, non-binding offtake MoU, stating its intention to supply H2 from Hydrogen Refueller H2Perth to:

  • BGC, which intends to buy and operate five to ten H2 concrete agitator trucks
  • Centurion, which intends to buy and operate two H2 prime movers.

It is envisaged the grant will support BGC and Centurion with purchasing the vehicles to replace large diesel trucks currently in use. Woodside also proposes to lease a small fleet of Hyundai Nexo vehicles, which are to be refueled at the facility. The grant will also support Woodside’s operation of the facility to be able to offer H2 at the targeted price.

“The Hydrogen Refueller H2Perth demonstrated Woodside’s support for the continued development of Western Australia’s H2 market,” Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill. “The proposed refueling facility would deliver on our commitment to make low cost, lower-carbon hydrogen-based energy available to local customers, while also progressing export opportunities such as H2Perth.”

“We don’t just need new sources of energy; we need an entirely new and integrated supply chain for successful energy transition. I would like to acknowledge and commend the Western Australian Government on its efforts to encourage the development of a homegrown hydrogen industry,” she said.

O’Neill also thanked BGC and Centurion for their support in progressing Hydrogen Refueller H2Perth. BGC CEO Daniel Cooper said, “the initiative would be important to the future of mainstream hydrogen uptake in Western Australia.”

“BGC welcomes the opportunity to work with Woodside, Centurion and the State Government to progress the energy innovations needed to keep our industries powered into the future. We look forward to assessing the performance of these vehicles and sharing our learnings broadly to build the case for wider deployment.”

Centurion CEO, Justin Cardaci said, “that as one of Australia's largest independently owned and operated logistics and transport companies, it was crucial for the company to support the development of transport sector related technology.”

"Transport and logistics are an emissions intensive sector and it is incumbent on businesses like ours to actively participate in the energy transition and the journey towards a net-zero emissions future," Cardaci said.

"The investment by the WA Government and Woodside in hydrogen refueling technology is a material step for companies like ours to accelerate the use of renewable fuel in the transport sector to transition its sustainability pathway."

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