WA solar to hydrogen project wins $5m government funding boost

The Western Australian government has committed $5 million to help support the development of one of the first end-to-end green hydrogen production systems in the state, which will be aimed at supplying the domestic transport market.

As part of $148.4 million worth of investments across 40 projects from the state’s Investment Attraction Fund, Western Australia has committed to invest $5 million to support the development of Infinite Green Energy’s green hydrogen production system to be built in Northam.

The MEG HP1 Hydrogen is being built between Infinite Green Energy, Samsung C&T, and Doral Energy Group and will consist of two 5MW electrolysers and use electricity generated from the nearby 11MW Northam solar farm.

The new government funding will be used to purchase the two electrolysers which will help to establish a hydrogen production ecosystem, as well as hydrogen storage compression technology and generation construction costs.

With operations expected to begin in late 2024, the MEG HP1 Hydrogen project is expected to produce around four tonnes of hydrogen each day.

“The $5 million, from the Investment Attraction Fund, will help Infinite Green Energy establish Western Australia’s first renewable green hydrogen production system,” said Bill Johnston, Western Australia’s hydrogen industry minister.

“This is an important step to help kickstart the development of an end-user market for locally produced green hydrogen.

“The construction, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of the MEG HP1 Hydrogen project is expected to create over 100 jobs and help decarbonise the State’s economy.”