Name of the Project
Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub.

Location
New South Wales, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Orica and Origin Energy announced a partnership in February 2022 to assess opportunities to collaborate on the development of a green hydrogen production facility and an associated value chain in the Hunter Valley. 

Project Description
Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity sources, has emerged as a potentially significant enabler of Australia’s transition to a lower carbon economy.

Orica and Origin plan to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of a green hydrogen production facility and downstream value chain opportunities.

The feasibility study will assess ways in which an industrial hydrogen hub could enable use cases that can support a meaningful green hydrogen industry in the Hunter Valley and beyond. This includes the supply of hydrogen for heavy industry and transport, the conversion of hydrogen into green ammonia at Orica’s existing Kooragang Island manufacturing facility, blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines and the potential to stimulate Australia’s hydrogen export industry.  

The proposed hub would produce green hydrogen from recycled water sources and renewable electricity using a grid connected 55 MW electrolyser.

Project design will allow for the hydrogen production facility to be scaled up through subsequent phases offering future expansion, including potential hydrogen export capability.

Future stages will also include investigating the feasibility of converting the local gas distribution network to 100% hydrogen to further support a hydrogen supply chain in the area.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Orica, tel +61 3 9665 7111.
Origin Energy, email media@originenergy.com.au.