Woodside acquires land for H2TAS project in Tasmania

Woodside (Australian energy producer) has secured land for its proposed H2TAS hydrogen plant in Tasmania, Australia.

The land is a partially cleared site in the Austrak Business Park (Long Reach), in the Bell Bay area of northern Tasmania. Woodside and Austrak have agreed on an exclusive option for a long-term lease.

H2TAS project is around 1.7 GW of electrolysis for hydrogen and ammonia production, to be completed in phases. In the first phase, a capacity of 300 MW would target production of 200k tonnes/year of ammonia.

It aims for a final investment decision in 2023, with construction and commissioning expected to take about 24 months. H2TAS would use hydropower and wind power to make 100% renewable ammonia for export purposes and renewable hydrogen for local consumption.

In January 2021, Woodside signed an MoU with the State of Tasmania for the H2TAS Project, where the State recognises the value of developing a hydrogen hub in the Bell Bay area using renewable power.

Woodside announced in May 2021 a project consortium with Japanese companies Marubeni Corporation and IHI Corporation. The parties have completed initial feasibility studies and concluded that exporting ammonia to Japan from the Bell Bay area is technically and commercially feasible.

Meg O’Neill, CEO Woodside, said, “Combined with our landmark H2Perth project announced last month, H2TAS will help to position Australia as a global leader in this emerging industry.”