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The Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area in Western Australia’s Mid-West region appears to be an ideal location for the production of a green hydrogen industry, according to preliminary results.
Since January 2021, ARUP has been capturing site-specific wind and solar resource data at the Oakajee SIA in collaboration with Fulcrum3D.
Between mid-January and mid-April, average monthly wind speeds and solar irradiance indicate that conditions at Oakajee SIA will be ideal for the development of green hydrogen. For this three-month span, both wind and solar results were higher than existing averages for the region reported by reputable wind and solar agencies.
Although the recordings will be continued for a full year to assess seasonal variability, the preliminary results are very promising and show the site’s suitability for renewable energy to enable green hydrogen development.
The McGowan government is currently reviewing 65 expressions of interest for the creation of a globally competitive sustainable hydrogen production and export precinct on the greenfields strategic industrial site.
The EOI process drew a lot of attention from around the world, with submissions from companies classified as “mega majors,” with global scope and market capitalizations in the tens or hundreds of billions.
The Oakajee SIA, with a 6,400-hectare footprint, has the capacity to sustain a large renewable energy hub and produce power at globally competitive power rates, which is critical for green hydrogen development.
The DevelopmentWA-managed site is situated on the coast just 23 kilometers north of Geraldton and is linked to the Geraldton Port via the North West Coastal Highway.
The McGowan government has pledged more than $35 million to the development of a green hydrogen industry in Western Australia, which will create jobs.
“These initial results are extremely encouraging and confirm that Western Australia has a world-class renewable resource that is ideal to support a successful green hydrogen industry.
“The Oakajee SIA is ideally located for the production and export of renewable energy both to local and international markets and there has been strong global interest in developing the site.
“We know there is incredible demand for clean, renewable energy and we are determined to ensure Western Australia is a market leader in the production of renewable hydrogen.”
Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan
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