PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The federal government has granted Major Project Status to the proposed Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) in the Pilbara.

The project is expected to generate some 26 000 MW of renewable energy, with up to 3 000 MW of the generation capacity dedicated to large energy users in the Pilbara region, which would include new and expanded mines and downstream mineral processing.

It is expected that the bulk of the energy would be used for the large-scale production of green hydrogen products for the domestic and export markets.

In granting it Major Project Status, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the facility would include the world’s largest wind and solar electricity plant. 

“The AREH has the potential to transform the East Pilbara and neighbouring Broome shire and to contribute to a major new export industry for Australia,” Andrews said. 

“Not only will the plant be able to export at scale, it will also be able to supply industries in the region while creating new job opportunities and economic growth.” 

The proposed AREH is expected to support more than 20 000 direct and indirect jobs during construction over ten years, and 3 000 jobs when fully operating. 

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the project would build on Australia’s strengths as a major energy exporter while helping to reduce global emissions. 

“This project has the potential to help lower global emissions while building a new Australian industry that creates jobs and opportunities in regional Australia,” Taylor said. 

“Projects like the AREH will help us achieve our ‘H2 under A$2’ goal and position Australia as a world leader in clean hydrogen.” 

Taylor said the government’s Technology Investment Roadmap highlights hydrogen as one of the priority technologies to deliver a cleaner future for Australia.

Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry has the potential to generate 7 600 new jobs by 2050, with exports estimated to be worth around A$11-billion a year in additional gross domestic product. The government has committed more than A$570-million to back the development of an Australian hydrogen industry.

AREH project director Brendan Hammond said securing Major Project Status represented a significant project milestone.  

“It sends a strong signal to everyone involved, including potential customers and investors, that our project is at the forefront of an emerging green hydrogen industry for Australia, and the opening of a massive new export market to the fast-growing Asian economies to our north,” Hammond said.  

Major Project Status provides companies with extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency, including a single entry point for Commonwealth government approvals, project support, and coordination with state and territory approvals.