Two of Japan's biggest energy companies have joined an expanded feasibility study to develop green hydrogen and ammonia at AGL's Hunter Energy Project, to be built on the site of Liddell Power Station.
The feasibility study between AGL and Fortescue Future Industries, which was announced last December, is mapping key operational and commercial plans for the 2 gigawatt project as well as developing a production timeline.
Additional key industry and consortium partners have also signed Memorandums of Understanding related to the project:
- APA Group - a leading Australian energy infrastructure business
- INPEX CORPORATION - a global energy exploration and production company
- Jemena - a leading owner and operator of a diverse portfolio of energy infrastructure assets across Australia
- Osaka Gas Australia - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co Ltd - global natural gas and power company.
AGL chief operating officer, Markus Brokhof said the feasibility study, due for completion by the end of the year, was another big step forward in AGL's vision for an industrial low carbon energy hub at the site of Liddell and Bayswater power
stations.
"As we create our Hunter Energy Hub, our aim is to develop strong partnerships that enable an efficient ecosystem and create a circular economy," Mr Brokhof said.
"By working hand in hand with Fortescue Future Industries, we will be supporting Australia's emerging green hydrogen industry and bringing our expertise in large-scale renewable generation to the fold."
"Early estimates suggest the site can support a hydrogen facility of up to 2GW in scale, but we will also test critical inputs including renewable energy costs, firming requirements, electrolyser capital costs, logistics and utilisation."
"The feasibility scope will focus on assessing the accelerated implementation of a large-scale production facility from minimum 150MW and up to 2GW of hydrogen and preferred derivatives including ammonia for export and domestic use."
Following the feasibility study AGL expects this project, along with the others in the Hunter Energy Hub, to drive the development of around 1,000 permanent jobs across energy production, advanced manufacturing, recycling and the production of chemicals.
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