Australia-based green energy company Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has secured planning approval from Australia’s Queensland Government to build an electrolyser facility in Gladstone.
The permit will allow FFI to build the first stage of its global Green Energy Manufacturing Centre (GEM) at Aldoga in the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA).
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The project will involve building a ‘world-leading’ electrolyser, renewable industry and equipment factory at Gladstone.
These will be built on a 4ha site, with the electrolyser assembly building covering a 12,900m² area.
Once complete, the facility will have the initial capacity to manufacture 2GW worth of electrolysers a year.
The GEM is expected to begin production in 2023.
FFI chairman Dr Andrew Forrest said: “Gladstone is going to be at the centre of Queensland’s green energy revolution, with the first electrolysers scheduled to enter production in 2023.
“This project will not only be a gamechanger for green manufacturing in regional Queensland, but it will also provide a major boost for the local economy and indelibly put Queensland as an epicentre of the coming green industrial revolution.”
The project is expected to require an initial investment of up to A$114m ($83m) and create 100 construction and 50 operational jobs.
FFI CEO Julie Shuttleworth said: “This manufacturing facility in Gladstone will be a major hub in Queensland’s growing hydrogen industry and we are pleased to be working with the state government on pioneering green hydrogen manufacturing in Gladstone.
“The project will boost the Australian economy and create local jobs for Queenslanders as we transition away from fossil fuels.
“Receiving planning approval from the State Government brings this project even closer to fruition, as we work towards commencing construction on the first stage in February.”
In September, French renewable energy company Neoen reached financial close for its Kaban Green Power Hub project in Far North Queensland.
The project includes a 157MW wind farm near Ravenshoe and an upgrade to a 320km transmission line.
