Fortescue chairman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that Queensland would partner with Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) to create a hydrogen equipment manufacturing facility.
The new $1 billion project proposes to more than double the world’s green hydrogen production capacity by making electrolyses that extract hydrogen from water.
FFI will build the world’s largest green hydrogen facility in Queensland’s Gladstone, according to company founder Forrest.
In the initial stage of the project, FFI will commit $115 million to manufacturing the 2 gigawatt green energy facility, making it the largest in the world.
This initial stage alone is estimated to create 120 construction jobs and 53 operational jobs.
The plant will manufacture green energy infrastructure and equipment such as electrolyses, cabling and wind turbines, to create green hydrogen for export across the world.
The project is set to be delivered in partnership with the Palaszczuk Government, and the premier said job numbers are expected to exceed 300 over the life of the project.
“We don’t just want to export our resources – we want to develop a manufacturing industry capable of making the electrolysers in Queensland as well,” said Palaszczuk.
“Andrew Forrest and I both see Queensland’s great potential as a renewables exporter and manufacturer of hydrogen equipment.
“This partnership will create local jobs, support our economic recovery and create an advanced manufacturing industry in Gladstone that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the deal was a boost for Queensland’s growing credentials as an emerging superpower in renewable hydrogen.
“FFI will construct a facility with an initial capacity to manufacture up to two gigawatts (GW) of electrolysers annually,” said Miles.
“Future plans are to expand both electrolyser manufacturing and other renewable energy components, which is expected to support other regional investment including in hydrogen production.”
Forrest’s drive to move Fortescue into hydrogen at such speed and scale sets the company apart from other giants in Australian resources.
“Fortescue is again ahead of the curve and we are immensely proud to be pioneering a Green Energy Manufacturing Centre in Gladstone,” said Forrest.
Queensland’s other recent hydrogen industry initiatives include the formation of a hydrogen consortium, which proposes to export $4.2 billion in renewable hydrogen from Gladstone.
For more information visit the Queensland Government website.