Unveiling its plans today (Oct 11), FFI said the project will see construction of what it believes to be the world’s largest electrolyser, expected to cost an initial investment of $83m. It is believed total investment of the development could be $650m.
Proposing a short time frame, FFI wants start construction of the green energy manufacturing facility in February next year (2022), with the first electrolysers scheduled off the production line in early 2023.
On the development, Julie Shuttleworth, CEO of FFI, said, “FFI’s goal is to become the world’s leading, fully renewable energy and green products company, powering the Australian economy and creating jobs for Australia as we transition away from fossil fuels.
“Our manufacturing arm, starting with electrolysers and expanding to all other required green industry products, will herald great potential for green manufacturing and employment in regional Australia.”
Shuttleworth continued, “Our first factory in Gladstone will become an epicentre for Queensland’s green hydrogen ambitions, building on its skilled workforce, its great foresight in industrial master-planning, a world class port, and a constructive and supportive State Government.”
Welcoming FFI’s commitment, the Queensland Government said the plans are expected to create over 300 jobs over its construction lifetime and thousands of jobs in the year to come. Further to that, it proposes a great decarbonisation opportunity for both FFI and Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczu of Queensland, said, “We’re seeing growing interest globally in renewable hydrogen. We don’t just want to export our resources – we want to develop a manufacturing industry capable of making the electrolysers in Queensland as well.
“This partnership will create local jobs, support our economic recovery and create an advanced manufacturing industry in Gladstone that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country.
“We have a strategy to partner with the private sector to make Queensland a world leader in advanced manufacturing and hydrogen generation. This is a great boost to Queensland’s growing credentials as an emerging superpower in renewable hydrogen.”
Dr. Andrew Forrest, Chairman and founder of FFI, said, “As GEM develops according to FFI’s own requirements and other customer needs, manufacturing will come roaring back to regional Australia, creating many thousands of jobs.
“Fortescue is again ahead of the curve, and we are immensely proud to be pioneering a Global Green Energy Manufacturing Centre in Gladstone. This initiative is a critical step in Fortescue’s transition from a significant and successful pure play iron ore producer, to a significant and successful integrated renewables and green resources powerhouse.”
US DOE, General Motors, Microsoft and Plug Power
What does the US Department of Energy (DOE), General Motors, Microsoft and Plug Power have in common? They’re all speaking at H2 View’s North American Virtual Hydrogen Event in October. Will you be joining us on October 19?
North America is in a prime position to lead efforts in decarbonisation, but it still has great distances to travel. The region has been giving chase in a race to green hydrogen dominated by Europe and Asia-Pacific. If policymakers and industry can work together and take the right steps to realise a hydrogen vision, the region is perfectly placed to expand its global energy leadership at scale and speed.
What lessons can be learned from Europe’s policymakers? What are the challenges to be overcome? What are the strengths and opportunities? How can North America go from giving chase to taking a lead in hydrogen? These are all questions our virtual event will address across H2 View’s four pillars of Mobility, Power, Policy and Technology.
Further information on the event, agenda and confirmed speakers can be found here.
To book your virtual delegate pass, click here.