Trafigura to build a green hydrogen plant in Australia
The project will create a unique opportunity for the Spencer Gulf.
Trafigura Group, Nyrstar and the State Government of South Australia today (9th December) announced to jointly develop a green hydrogen production plant in Port Pirie, Australia.
Trafigura with the South Australian State Government will immediately start working on an AU$5 million Front End Engineering Design study for the Port Pirie Green Hydrogen Project.
The final decision on the project investment will be made by the end of 2022, and if approved, the construction works will commence in 2023.
The project will require AU$750 million and will be developed in stages. At the first stage, the plant will produce 20 tonnes/day of green hydrogen, which would be exported as green ammonia. Once in full scale, the plant would produce 100 tonnes/day of green hydrogen from a 440 MW electrolyser for export and domestic supply purposes. The electrolyser will run on 100% renewable energy.
The project will be integrated into Nyrstar Australia’s metals recovery smelter at Port Pirie, using existing infrastructure to accelerate the production of green hydrogen compared to developing a project on a new greenfield site. The Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter will use the oxygen produced during hydrogen generation.
Tim Rogers, GM of Trafigura Australia, said, “We are expecting significant early interest in becoming a part of the green hydrogen precinct with early potential for the region’s heavy vehicle transport industry to investigate hydrogen refuelling options.”
Dale Webb, Nyrstar’s VP Australian Operations, commented, “This will create a positive differentiator for our products with international customers, and help underpin a stronger, more secure, more sustainable future for Nyrstar Australia.”
Steven Marshall, South Australian Premier, added, “The Port Pirie Green Hydrogen Project will be integral to South Australia’s transformation into a leading global producer of green hydrogen.”
