Ark Energy breaks ground on Queensland green hydrogen hub powered by solar

Leading Australian renewable energy company Ark Energy has officially broken ground on the first stage of the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub in Townsville, north Queensland.

Ark Energy is the Australian subsidiary of Korea Zinc Company, the world’s largest zinc, lead, and silver producer, and exists to decarbonise the energy supply of Korea Zinc starting with the company’s Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville.

Set to be built within the Sun Metals Green Industrial Precinct, the first phase of SunHQ will consist of a 1MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser that will produce green hydrogen. The electrolyser will be powered by a behind-the-meter connection to the co-located 124MW Sun Metals Solar Farm.

When completed in early 2024, SunHQ will be one of the largest fully integrated green hydrogen production and refuelling facilities in Australia, with a production capacity of 155 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum.

Artist impression of the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub. Image supplied

Approximately 90 tonnes of this green hydrogen will be used to power five 140-tonne-rated Hyzon Motors fuel cell electric trucks, the largest of their kind in the world, which are expected to be delivered before the middle of 2024.

These Hyzon Motors trucks will be used to transport zinc concentrate from the Port of Townsville to the Sun Metals Zinc Refinery, and the return trip transporting finished zinc ingots from the refinery to the port.

Ark Energy expects that these fuel cell trucks will help to avoid 1,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Artist impression of the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub refuelling station. Image supplied

“We are thrilled to celebrate the start of construction for SunHQ,” said Daniel Kim, Ark Energy CEO.

“We’re excited about the catalytic potential of SunHQ to build the domestic hydrogen economy of North Queensland and bring forward the decarbonisation of Australia’s ultra-heavy transport sector by several years.

“We have deliberately oversized the capacity of SunHQ to ensure there is surplus green hydrogen to support other major industrial customers achieve their emissions reductions targets.”