Oakajee hydrogen looking promising

Early investigations of the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area by Arup suggest the Mid West locale will be a good site for renewable hydrogen production.

Business News revealed the government’s plans for a green hydrogen project at the Oakajee port site last year.

The government has said it is assessing 65 expressions of interest from companies keen to be involved in such a project, including as proponents or to supply equipment.

Hydrogen Minister Alannah MacTiernan today said engineering consultancy Arup and Fulcrum3D had been measuring wind and solar resource data at the site since January.

The results were above expectations, although work would need to continue for a full 12 months to determine seasonal variability.

For green hydrogen production, solar and wind generation will power electrolysers which turn water into hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen can then be piped or shipped to customers.

"These initial results are extremely encouraging and confirm that Western Australia has a world-class renewable resource that is ideal to support a successful green hydrogen industry,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“The Oakajee SIA is ideally located for the production and export of renewable energy both to local and international markets and there has been strong global interest in developing the site.

"We know there is incredible demand for clean, renewable energy and we are determined to ensure Western Australia is a market leader in the production of renewable hydrogen."

Earlier this week, Ms MacTiernan revealed the state government had a huge target for hydrogen capacity in WA, about 200 gigawatts by 2040.

That is about 40 times the current generation capacity in the state’s South West Interconnected System network.