The state government of South Australia has teamed up with metals industry players Trafigura and Nyrstar to progress plans to construct a commercial-scale green hydrogen plant in Port Pirie, Adelaide.
They have launched a A$5m front end engineering design (FEED) study for the Port Pirie Green Hydrogen Project, jointly funded by Trafigura and the government.
A final investment decision will be made by the end of 2022 with construction commencing in 2023, if approved.
At an estimated design and construction cost of A$750m, the project is to be developed in a phased manner, initially producing 20 tonnes per day of green hydrogen for export in the form of green ammonia.
The full-scale plant will produce 100 tonnes per day of green hydrogen at full capacity from a 440MW electrolyser, enabling it to meet both export and domestic supply needs.
Trafigura will source 100% renewable energy to provide the electricity needed to run the electrolyser, which will also contribute to decarbonising the existing smelter’s power supply.
The oxygen created in the production of hydrogen will be used by the Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter.
The project is planned to be integrated into Nyrstar Australia’s metals recovery smelter at Port Pirie, using existing infrastructure to accelerate production of green hydrogen compared to developing a project on a new greenfield site.
Trafigura General Manager Australia Tim Rogers said: “We are encouraged by governments’ support of the hydrogen industry.
“With both State and Federal Government support, the Port Pirie Green Hydrogen Project has the potential to be a catalyst for new jobs and economic growth in the region, creating opportunities for existing local businesses to become part of the supply chain, attracting new talent, and encouraging new companies and industries to establish a local presence.”
Nyrstar’s Vice-President Australian Operations, Dale Webb, said: “As a leading multi-metals manufacturer, producing and recycling vital metals required for the energy transition, Nyrstar Australia needs to remain competitive on the global stage, on cost and in terms of carbon intensity.
“The Port Pirie Green Hydrogen Project will meet this challenge head on by delivering renewable energy and oxygen to prove that we can decarbonise a heavy industrial facility and at the same time ensure more efficient and cost-effective production of low carbon metals for the world.
“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.”