The Northern Territory is set to accelerate the development of large-scale renewable energy and green h2 production, with a major project in Darwin’s controversial Middle Arm precinct.
The NT government has granted major project status to the green hydrogen initiative, TE H2, spearheaded by French energy major TotalEnergies. The project, located at the Middle Arm precinct by the harbour, is set to become a significant hub for green hydrogen production.
TE H2’s facility plans to leverage solar energy to generate over 80,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually from renewable sources, as per the NT government’s announcement. The project will encompass more than two gigawatts of solar power generation spread over 5,000 hectares, coupled with a 1GW electrolyser.
Kam Ho, TE H2 Australia’s managing director, described the project as a pioneering step in the territory, focusing on the production and export of solar-powered green hydrogen. He emphasized that achieving major project status is a crucial milestone, with a final investment decision expected by 2027.
The project promises to create 800 jobs during its construction phase and maintain 175 jobs once operational. The hydrogen produced will be utilized both domestically and for export.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Middle Arm precinct, primarily due to plans for gas exports from the Beetaloo basin, Chief Minister Eva Lawler highlighted the TE H2 project as a pivotal move towards clean energy. She noted that it aligns with the territory’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and leverages the NT’s vast solar resources and strategic location for Indo-Pacific exports.
In a related development, Western Australia’s Pilbara region is witnessing the construction of one of the world’s largest renewable hydrogen plants. This project, located near Karratha, aims to produce up to 640 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, focusing on both hydrogen and ammonia production.
