PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Green energy developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has announced the establishment of a technology hub in Colorado.

The hub, which will potentially create more than 150 local jobs, will bring together experts from leading Colorado universities and institutions, including the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

FFI will develop green hydrogen and green energy innovations and technology, with a specific focus on decarbonising hard-to-abate industries that can be commercialised fast. More importantly the technology hub will facilitate latest technologies into the manufacturing centres which FFI is now contemplating due to the successful passage of US legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the company said over the weekend.

“Fortescue is building a world-wide tech network to encourage scientists and engineers from across the globe to advance research and development,” Fortescue founder and executive chairperson Dr Andrew Forrest said.

“FFI will rapidly commercialize the technology we build here to achieve real world outcomes. That is where the IRA will give us the horsepower we need to bring this cutting-edge research into reality.

“America is the world’s deepest innovation ecosystem, and now the best place for green hydrogen investment following the passing of the IRA,” said Forrest.

“The passage of that Act was an historic moment for the United States – it will help to create jobs for Americans and reduce emissions, and our Technology Hub is already proof of that.”

FFI CEO Mark Hutchinson said that Colorado offers a forward-thinking regulatory and policy environment and FFI looks forward to capitalising upon some of the best and brightest minds in the US.

“There is significant global demand for the green energy and green hydrogen FFI will produce, and for the new technology it is developing.

“Fortescue's tech web will sow and harvest the best talent and stretch across the globe, with teams already set up in Australia, UK and Europe,” said Hutchinson.

The state of Colorado awarded incentives totalling $1.996-million to support the establishment of the hub and the creation of jobs in the green energy industry.