PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Northern Territory government has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with international renewable energy company Total Eren to develop a new green hydrogen project in Darwin.
The MoU frames how government and Total Eren will work together to progress the Darwin H2 Hub, which has the potential to create more than 2 000 jobs during construction and 175 ongoing during its operation and help to fast-track a net zero economy.
Based in Darwin, the H2 Hub will be a renewable energy generation and hydrogen production plant which can assist domestic and international companies to decarbonise through the use of green hydrogen and to facilitate new industries in a net-zero economy.
Plans for the Darwin H2 Hub comprise of more than 2 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on 4 000 ha of land providing energy for a 1 GW hydrogen electrolyser to produce more than 80 000 t/y of hydrogen.
“This project is another great opportunity for the Territory to create jobs in this new clean energy sector and significantly contribute to the Territory’s drive to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said on Monday.
“With our abundant solar resources and our strategic location to support exports into the Indo-Pacific, the production of green hydrogen is a key opportunity for the Territory to address the growing demand for this green energy globally.
“The signing of this MoU will help position the Territory as the next Australian home of renewable hydrogen production.”
The territory government has set aside A$5.01-million over four years for accelerated hydrogen industry development.
Total Eren Australia MD Kam Ho said the company was excited to be present in the Northern Territory through the development of the proposed Darwin H2 Hub.
“Our plan is to accelerate the development of the project to supply green hydrogen and also the opportunity to provide renewable energy which supports the decarbonisation plans for energy-intensive industries in the Territory. Total Eren appreciates the Territory’s support on the Darwin H2 Hub and we look forward to working in partnership with the Territory to realise our vision in a net-zero economy.”