PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Energy provider ATCO has pulled the plug on its planned Clean Energy Innovation Park (CEIP) hydrogen project in Western Australia.
“While we were initially confident we could build CEIP at Warradarge, our ongoing assessment and market development found the benefits of being closer to the end-user of the renewable hydrogen was more commercially viable than locating the CEIP in a more remote location,” ATCO said in a statement.
“We are confident that as the hydrogen economy in Western Australia grows and demand for renewable hydrogen increases, developing hydrogen plants across the state will become a reality.”
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) in 2021 awarded ATCO up to A$28.7-million in funding towards its proposed 10 MW electrolyser-for-gas blending project. Given the company’s decision not to pursue the project, the Arena funding would not be accessed.
“ATCO still intends to explore a commercial hydrogen facility, however, believes it is more feasible to identify opportunities closer to heavy industry where demand will justify the investment,” the company said.