The Cook Government has initiated an exclusive negotiation period with a major South Korean renewable energy group to build Western Australia’s first green ammonia plant near Geraldton – an initiative that Energy Minister Bill Johnston said would enable significant local manufacturing and jobs in the region.
At DevelopmentWA’s Narngulu Industrial Estate, Progressive Green Solutions is proposing to construct a plant on two lots in collaboration with Samsung C&T and KOMIPO (Korean Midland Power Co).
Using renewable hydrogen, the facility is intended to create up to 1 million tonnes of green ammonia per year, the government said in a media statement.
With the first shipments anticipated in 2027, it is anticipated to enhance the decarbonisation of power generation assets in South Korea.
According to Minister Johnston, Western Australia is in an ideal location to offer the land, infrastructure, and expertise needed to construct significant renewable hydrogen and green ammonia projects.
“With its exceptional renewable energy resources, the Mid-West is attracting significant global interest and investments from markets such as South Korea, Japan and Europe, seeking to support the decarbonisation of their economies,” noted the minister.
Lands Minister John Carey stated that the government is dedicated to releasing land for WA’s renewable energy sector in the Mid-West area and throughout the state in order to create new employment and diversify the economy.
“The strategic location of Narngulu has attracted local and foreign investors who are looking to utilise its proximity to key industrial areas and transport links including Geraldton’s port,” Minister Carey stated.
He added, “The work being done by our Government, through the Industrial Lands Authority, ensures we are ready to meet that demand.”
Meanwhile, Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton emphasised that the interest in constructing renewable energy projects in Geraldton from international proponents underlines the region’s potential for renewable energy and shows Western Australia’s exciting position in aiding in global decarbonisation.
“We look forward to growth in the renewables sector across Western Australia leading towards a better, decarbonised future,” Dalton remarked.
In order to accommodate the project at Narngulu Industrial Estate, the Cook government worked with DevelopmentWA to broker a land-use solution.
This opened the door for a new renewable energy cluster in Geraldton to complement the anticipated hydrogen hub in Oakajee.
The government said Narngulu Industrial Estate, which is 12 km southeast of Geraldton, is a significant general industrial zone serving Geraldton and the Mid-West region.
