Proposed Darwin H2 Hub closer to creating 2000 construction jobs

Total Eren is progressing the development of its proposed green hydrogen production facility in the Northern Territory’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. 

The Darwin H2 Hub will use solar energy to produce more than 80,000 tonnes of renewable-based hydrogen annually once the facility is up and running. 

The project is proposed to include more than 2GW of solar PV generation capacity which will be established on a 5,000-hectare site. The solar farm is projected to generate enough renewable energy to power the facility’s 1GW electrolyser at full capacity. 

The project is anticipated to create about 2,000 jobs during its construction and up to 175 ongoing jobs once operational. 

The Northern Territory Government and Total Eren signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August 2022, forming a partnership for the development of the Darwin H2 Hub project. 

Total Eren will continue engaging with its project partners and the Territory Government as the project progresses. The company will also continue working on its environmental baseline studies and mature site design. 

“Since the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding with the NT Government in August 2022, we have established a collaborative partnership with key NT Departments and thank the continued guidance and support of the Major Projects and Investment Commissions. 

“To date, we have progressed with on ground surveys of our proposed GW-scale generation facility through the engagement to expert, local, Darwin-based ecological consultants and will imminently commence more detailed surveys, analysis and design on our downstream H2 design within Middle Arm precinct over the next 12 months. 

“The Darwin H2 Hub will be a fundamentally transformative project for Australia and I am pleased to be here today to demonstrate our commitment in advancing the project through development,” Total Eren Australia Managing Director Kam Ho said. 

Once operational, Darwin H2 Hub will be a renewable energy generation and hydrogen production plant that will assist domestic and global companies to decarbonise by using green hydrogen. The new facility is also expected to facilitate the development of new industries in a net-zero economy. 

Total Eren is one of the five proponents that the Territory Government has given ‘not to deal’ commitments, which provides certainty as these companies deliver their respective projects in the Middle Arm. 

These projects collectively represent tens of billions of dollars in capital investment. In addition, the development of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct is expected to create up to 20,000 jobs in the Northern Territory. 

The companies, including Total Eren, will now progress facility designs, engineering work and pre-feasibility studies and environmental approvals for their projects. The proponents are required to comply with all conditions set by the NT EPA as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process for the precinct – which is already underway. 

“This project is another great opportunity for the Territory to create jobs in the new clean energy sector and significantly contribute to the Territory’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

“With our abundant solar resources and our strategic location to support exports into the Indo-Pacific, the production of green hydrogen is a key opportunity for the Territory to address the growing demand for this green energy globally. 

“We’re growing our economy while also transitioning to net zero emissions, and Middle Arm will play a huge part in that transition. This is what responsibly decarbonising and diversifying our economy looks like,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; CSIRO HyResource; Energy Magazine; Australian Resources