PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Singapore’s Keppel Corporation has joined the Central Queensland hydrogen (CQ-H2) project consortium to develop a large-scale green hydrogen project in Australia, and has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) on an industrial-scale green ammonia production facility in Australia.

Under the MoU, Keppel and IPL will explore the development of a green ammonia production facility for both domestic and overseas consumption, including an end-to-end export supply chain to Singapore and Asia.

This MoU follows from an earlier feasibility study which Keppel, IPL and Temasek commenced in 2021, on producing green ammonia in Australia for export. Following the favourable findings of the studies, this MoU advances the next phase which involves the development of up to around 850 000 t/y of green ammonia production, as well as the related export facilities at Gladstone.

Meanwhile, as part of its strategic plan to participate and capitalise on the projected growth of the hydrogen economy, Keppel has joined the CQ-H2 project consortium, which is developing a hydrogen production facility, among other related infrastructure.

The CQ-H2 project aims to produce renewable hydrogen, scalable to up to around 2 500 MW equivalent, and deliver via its different carriers to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large domestic customers in Central Queensland. 

“Through Keppel’s involvement in the CQ-H2 consortium, and our partnership with IPL, we are redoubling our efforts in making green hydrogen and ammonia reliable and commercially viable energy sources,” said Keppel Infrastructure CEO Cindy Lim.

“Keppel’s strong track record in developing and operating large-scale energy and environmental infrastructure combined with the expertise and experience of our esteemed partners will enable us to produce, store and transport green hydrogen and ammonia in a safe, scalable and cost-competitive manner for end-users in Australia, Singapore and globally. 

“There is increasing demand from governments and industries for carbon-free hydrogen, particularly for use in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement and ammonia production as well as heavy-duty transportation. Keppel is leveraging our domain knowledge and wide range of capabilities to develop integrated sustainable energy solutions across the value chain, in line with our Vision 2030.”    

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade Cameron Dick on Friday welcomed Keppel’s further investment.

“Global demand for renewable hydrogen is accelerating to support energy transition and domestic energy security, Queensland Treasury has had a key role in facilitating and funding the Central Queensland hydrogen project. After a number of discussions with Keppel, we are delighted the company and IPL have chosen Gladstone for their green ammonia production facility. This will open exciting and significant export possibilities, let alone regional jobs,” Dick said.