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Origin Energy to investigate export-scale green-hydrogen project in Tasmania

| By Mary Bailey

Origin Energy (Sydney, Australia) will conduct a $3.2 million feasibility study into building an export scale green hydrogen and ammonia plant in Tasmania’s Bell Bay.

Under the proposal, green hydrogen will be produced from sustainable water using renewable energy. The hydrogen will then be combined with nitrogen extracted from the air to create green ammonia, which can be safely and efficiently shipped to export markets. The greater than 500 megawatt plant would produce more than 420,000 tons of zero emissions ammonia per year.

Potential uses for the hydrogen and ammonia include electricity generation and as transportation fuel. Some of the hydrogen produced will be made available domestically to support Tasmania’s decarbonisation ambitions. If the project were to proceed, first production of green ammonia is targeted for the mid-2020s.

The feasibility study will be part-funded by a $1.6 million grant from the Tasmania Government.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Tasmanian Government on this groundbreaking plan to use 100 per cent renewable energy and sustainable water to power one of the world’s first export scale green hydrogen and ammonia plants,” Origin general manager of future fuels Felicity Underhill said.

“Hydrogen produced from renewable energy has tremendous potential to support decarbonisation in Australia and overseas because it is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and can be produced with zero emissions.

“Origin has been exploring how hydrogen can best fit into Australia’s energy system and is progressing a number of opportunities.

“As an integrated energy company operating in key parts of the value chain, Origin is ideally placed to develop large scale green hydrogen and ammonia projects and connect them to markets, either to stimulate a domestic hydrogen economy or to enable the export of energy produced from renewable sources,” Ms Underhill said.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed by December 2021.