Plans for a massive green hydrogen project in Western Australia have been paused. The project, proposed by Province Resources, was to generate green hydrogen using solar and wind power. The company blames dwindling investor interest and inadequate state government support for the halt.
Project Details
The HyEnergy project aimed to combine solar and wind energy to produce 600,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The facility was also set to feature a significant battery storage system. Province had spent three years developing the project, securing local support, land agreements, and submitting environmental studies.
Investor Interest Declines
Province cited slow state government actions as a primary reason for investor disinterest. The company claimed that delays in granting appropriate land tenure led to reduced investor enthusiasm and caused many companies to defer their green energy plans.
State Government Response
The WA government denied Province’s claims, stating they had passed legislation to enable renewable projects on Crown land. They accused Province of making unreasonable requests and failing to secure funding or project partners.
Future Prospects
Despite the setback, Province remains hopeful about the project’s long-term viability. They plan to keep the project ready for when market interest and government support return.
Other Cancellations
Province’s decision follows similar moves by Woodside Energy and Fortescue, who also halted or slowed their green hydrogen projects due to various challenges.
