Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) have completed preliminary studies to convert IPL’s Gibson Island ammonia-production facility to run on zero carbon green hydrogen rather than fossil fuel gas.
FFI determined that the project is technically feasible based on the first phase of studies and issued IPL with a notice to proceed to the next phase. This is the next step in FFI’s ability to demonstrate that converting fossil fuel infrastructure is both technically and economically feasible.
FFI and IPL will now negotiate an agreement to move this project forward to a Front End Engineering Design study. The study will be used to fine-tune cost, schedule, permitting, and commercial agreements, as well as to inform a potential Final Investment Decision.
Dr Andrew Forrest AO, FFI Founder and Chairman, stated that this is a significant development in this important project that will accelerate decarbonisation while also protecting local jobs in Queensland.
“The announcement of this important agreement at the IPL site in Brisbane in October was a significant milestone and I am delighted that we are now ready to confirm that we are moving to the next phase of studies to make this dream a reality,” he said.
FFI Chief Executive Officer, Julie Shuttleworth AM said “FFI’s collaboration with Incitec Pivot is an exciting opportunity to harness existing infrastructure at Gibson Island, fast tracking the production of green ammonia at an industrial scale.
“Pending further approvals, this project could be Australia’s first green ammonia production facility, demonstrating existing infrastructure can be retrofitted to utilise zero-emissions energy sources.” Ms Shuttleworth said.
FFI intends to build an on-site electrolysis plant capable of producing up to 50,000 tonnes of renewable, green hydrogen per year for conversion into green ammonia, thereby replacing the current fossil fuel gas feedstock.
If the project is successful, it will protect Queensland manufacturing jobs while also creating a new domestic and export market for green, renewable ammonia. The project’s green hydrogen and green ammonia could also supply a low-carbon fuel supply to the Port of Brisbane, Brisbane airport, and other heavy transport users.
IPL Managing Director & CEO Jeanne Johns said “We’re committed to pursuing opportunities to help create a more sustainable world and our investigation of new and emerging technologies, such as green ammonia, is a key part of this.
“Our world class ammonia expertise is advancing progress of this exciting project and, working with FFI, we have found it is technically feasible to manufacture green ammonia at an industrial scale at Gibson Island. As an existing brownfield site, this offers many advantages,” Ms Johns said.
The proposed project is consistent with the Queensland and Commonwealth governments’ strategies for developing an innovative and competitive green hydrogen industry that provides reliable domestic supply as well as new export opportunities.
