Australian energy company Origin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Townsville, bringing its export-scale liquid hydrogen project a step closer to realisation.
Under the agreement, Origin and the Port of Townsville will collaborate on the potential expansion of the port, as well as the development of a liquefaction facility, new berth and associated infrastructure.
Origin is already collaborating with Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KHI) on a 300MW early export project that would produce 36,500 tonnes per annum of green liquid hydrogen using renewable energy and sustainable water.
The company’s General Manager Future Fuels, Felicity Underhill said the three parties will now focus on accommodating KHI’s semi-commercial scale liquid hydrogen carriers, currently under development, future project expansion opportunities, and potential for sharing of common infrastructure with other Port of Townsville users.
“This is one of the most advanced commercial scale green liquid hydrogen projects in the world, and we and our partners are looking forward to commencing front end engineering and design (FEED) this calendar year,” Ms Underhill said.
“Origin’s MOU with the Port of Townsville is an important and exciting next step in the process.”
Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum said the MOU was important milestone in the delivery of the project, which is expected to generate thousands of regional jobs in North Queensland.
“Over the past 18 months Origin Energy and Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries have been working on a 36,500Tpa export liquid hydrogen project,” he said.
“Today’s MOU formally adds the Port of Townsville to this mix and confirms the essential role our proudly publicly owned ports will play in Queensland’s hydrogen journey.”
First export from the project is targeted from the mid-2020s.
