H2U, Origin enter new partnerships for green ammonia export

By Julian Atchison on October 15, 2021

H2U, Gladstone Ports Corporation

GPC COO Craig Walker and H2U Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri sign the new agreement.
Click to learn more. GPC COO Craig Walker and H2U Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri sign the new agreement.

H2U’s plans for a green hydrogen and ammonia export facility in Queensland continue to develop. A new partnership with the Gladstone Ports Corporation will see the two organisations advance discussions for a hydrogen and ammonia export precinct at Yarwun (just north of Gladstone) as part of the larger H2-Hub Gladstone project.

Once completed, H2-Hub Gladstone will produce 5,000 tonnes of green ammonia per day from 3 GW electrolyser capacity. Initial operations will begin in 2025.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni, who is opening the CQH2 Hydrogen Forum on Friday, said renewable hydrogen was a multi-billion dollar opportunity that would create decent, secure jobs for Queenslanders, particularly in regional areas like Gladstone.

“We know Queenslanders have what it takes to create new industry,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Gladstone is a powerhouse that was at the heart of creating our LNG export industry and can do it again with renewable hydrogen, with new, decarbonised industry and the jobs for Queenslanders.”

“Developing flexible technologies for integrating renewable energies into green hydrogen and derivative products will deliver new exports and industries for Australia and drive further investments, economic growth and most importantly stable long term employment opportunities for generations to come,” H2U’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri said.

Gladstone Port Corporation’s official press release, 6 October 2021

Origin Energy, J-POWER

Japanese Utility J-POWER and Origin Energy will explore ways the former can collaborate and potentially off-take product from Origin’s under-development green ammonia production and export facility in Bell Bay, Tasmania (download the pdf announcement).

As part of its “Blue Mission 2050” announced earlier this year, J-POWER is seeking to develop its expertise in ammonia co-firing for power generation, as well as power generation from hydrogen (presumably from cracked ammonia). This new partnership contributes directly to that project.