THE WESTERN Australian government has commenced negotiations with a South Korean renewable energy consortium to build a green ammonia plant near Geraldton.
Energy systems specialist Progressive Green Solutions, in partnership with South Korea’s Samsung C&T and Korean Midland Power (KOMIPO), are proposing to build a plant at the Narngulu Industrial Estate.
DevelopmentWA’s Narngulu Industrial Estate is around 12 kilometres south-east of Geraldton and is connected to Geraldton Port by major road and rail infrastructure.
The proposed ammonia plant would be the first built in Western Australia. It would cover two lots at the industrial site and produce up to one million tonnes of green ammonia each year using renewable hydrogen.
The plant is expected to support the decarbonisation of power generation assets in South Korea, with first shipments expected in 2027.
“The strategic location of Narngulu has attracted local and foreign investors who are looking to utilise its proximity to key industrial areas and transport links including Geraldton’s port,” WA lands minister John Carey said.
“Through strategic planning, we’ve been able to attract interest in our regions through making industrial land available to build businesses for the future.
“The work being done by our government, through the Industrial Lands Authority, ensures we are ready to meet that demand.”
WA energy minister Bill Johnston said Western Australia was positioned to provide land, infrastructure and skills to develop large-scale renewable hydrogen and green ammonia projects.
“With its exceptional renewable energy resources, the Mid-West is attracting significant global interest and investments from markets such as South Korea, Japan and Europe, seeking to support the decarbonisation of their economies,” Mr Johnston said.
“Projects such as this are also expected to unlock significant local manufacturing and jobs in the Mid-West.”
And Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said government was looking forward to growth in the renewables sector across Western Australia.
“The interest from international proponents in establishing renewable energy projects in Geraldton validates the renewable potential of the Mid-West region and highlights Western Australia’s exciting role assisting with global decarbonisation,” she said.
The Western Australian government, through DevelopmentWA, brokered a “land use solution” to accommodate the project at Narngulu Industrial Estate, paving the way for a new renewable energy cluster in Geraldton to complement the planned hydrogen hub at Oakajee.
