Forrest’s FFI among four to win a spot in Pilbara green industrial precinct

Land for a range of projects proposing to produce hydrogen, ammonia and renewable energy has been approved by the WA government, delivering a win to four prospective developers including Fortescue Future Industries.

The so-called “Maitland Strategic Industrial Area” in the the Pilbara is being developed as a multi-product green industrial precinct with a focus on decarbonising the nearby Burrup strategic industrial area (SIA).

Amongst plans expected to be put into operation in the area is a hydrogen or ammonia pipeline connecting the Maitland and Burrup SIAs.

Of the four parcels of land allocated, a 40Ha site was approved for Hexagon Energy’s WAH2 low-emissions ammonia project.

Another winner in the land allocation, Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers, will reportedly build a 100MW solar project as part of its efforts to decarbonise its announced Urea Project on the Burrup Peninsula.

No clear indication has been given, yet, of what projects Fortescue Future Industries and Yara International will be building.

“The approval of land allocation for Maitland SIA will help transform the greenfield site into a globally competitive, multi-product industrial precinct,” said Roger Cook, WA’s minister for state development, jobs, and trade.

“Land allocated in the Maitland SIA will enable a range of projects, including ammonia, hydrogen and renewable energy, which will aim to decarbonise emissions on the Burrup Peninsula.

“This is exciting news for the Pilbara, and in particular for Karratha and Dampier, as these projects will create a pipeline of local jobs for years to come,” Cook said.

In addition to their obligations under the auspices of each SIA, the four companies awarded land are being advised to also begin discussions with Registered Native Title Body Corporate, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC), and the state government.

“This is a huge milestone for the project and clears the way for advancing the other strategic partnerships which were contingent on securing the project site,” said Charles Whitfield, Hexagon chairman.

“With this cornerstone asset confirmed, I expect to see results from the other key components of the project work to be formalised in the near future.”

Vikas Rambal, Perdaman chairman, said it was encouraging that so soon after announcing construction of the Perdaman Urea Project, progress was being made on reducing its carbon footprint.

“The development of a solar power facility of this scale will also provide flexibility for Perdaman to manufacture blue ammonia through its Urea facility to ensure Western Australia is at the forefront of driving a lower carbon future.”

The McGowan government committed up to $117.5 million back in late 2021 to attract federal funding for renewable hydrogen hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West.

The proposed hydrogen hubs are expected to be able to capitalise on the “natural advantages” in the region and “will help to fast-track renewable hydrogen production and exports from WA.”