In case this should be relevant to FMG:...

In case this should be relevant to FMG:

https://thewest.com.au/business/ene...eam-at-oakajee-in-was-mid-west-ng-b881774925z

Super majors’ in running for State Government’s green, reneweable hydrogen dream at Oakajee in WA’s Mid West

Sean SmithThe West Australian
Thu, 21 January 2021 11:00AM
Sean Smith


The Government says Oakajee has an abundance of wind and sunshine, making it ideal for the production of renewable hydrogen. Credit: Unknown/OPR

Global energy groups have answered the State Government’s call to look over a plan to develop an export-based renewable hydrogen industry at Oakajee, north of Geraldton.

The Government today confirmed the strong interest in the proposal, revealing it had received 65 expressions of interest from companies from Australia, Japan, Korea, India, Germany, Spain, UK, France and the US looking at possible participation.

Some 10 of the companies, it said, were energy “super majors”, a term usually applied to global giants such as Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil.

The Government said nearly a dozen of the interested companies were looking at “developing and financing an entire supply chain that encompasses Oakajee as a strategic hub for the production and export of renewable hydrogen”.
“Other parties expressed interest in supplying sections of the supply chain including technology, key water and power utilities, manufacturing key components or financing this emerging industry,” it said.

The expressions of interest will be evaluated by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation working closely with the Mid West Development Commission, Mid West Ports Authority and DevelopmentWA,which owns the Oakajee site.

The Government says Oakajee, 23km north of Geraldton, has an abundance of wind and sunshine, making it ideal for the production of renewable hydrogen for domestic and commercial use, advanced manufacturing and export.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the expressions of interest process “confirmed what we already knew about the strong global appetite for renewable hydrogen, and the enormous potential of the Mid West region”.

“Global economies are hungry for clean, renewable energy, and we have the perfect mix of wind and solar potential that is the envy of the world right here in WA.”

Spoiler : Some background

https://www.benp.com.au/databases/news/20/10/wagov_eois_oakajees_renewable_hydrogen.html

Global call for EOIs to unlock Oakajee's renewable hydrogen potential
01 October 2020

• Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area identified for its world-class wind and solar energy potential to produce renewable hydrogen
• Expressions of interest sought from overseas and national proponents to develop renewable hydrogen projects within the precinct north of Geraldton
• Follows McGowan Government's $22 million boost for the WA hydrogen industry

A globally competitive renewable hydrogen precinct could soon become a reality inWestern Australia's Mid-West, as expressions of interest open for the greenfields Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) near Geraldton.
The McGowan Government is casting the net worldwide for EOIs from commercial groups looking to produce or use renewable hydrogen, and WA will use its international offices to promote the opportunity globally.
Located 23 kilometres north of Geraldton, Oakajee SIA is recognised for its world-class wind and solar energy potential, which is ideal for the production of renewable hydrogen for commercial uses including advanced manufacturing, energy storageand transport, and for future export of clean energy.
Initial assessments indicate the 4,070 hectare Oakajee SIA buffer area could generate up to 270 megawatts of wind power and 1,250 megawatts of solarrenewable energy at internationally competitive prices.
This supply could be supplemented at large scale with abundant land throughout the Mid-West region suitable for wind and solar power generation.
Oakajee SIA is connected to the State's major road network and existing Geraldton Port via the North West Coastal Highway, and there are provisions in place for the area to be linked to the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.
The EOI will be targeted at international and Australian commercial groups including industrial proponents wanting to produce commercial quantities of hydrogen; hydrogen users such as transport, metals refining and ammonia-manufacturing companies; hydrogen industry component manufacturers; and power and other infrastructure providers.
The EOI process follows the WA Recovery Plan initiatives to bring forward the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy goals from 2040 to 2030, and the McGowan Government's $22 million investment in developing WA's hydrogen industry.

Submissions close on December 24, 2020.
For more information, visit the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation's website at http://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/hydrogen

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Interest in renewable hydrogen is rapidly accelerating, and the State Government is putting in place the framework to make WA a world leader across the hydrogen supply chain.

"Renewable hydrogen has the potential to be a major economic driver for the State, and the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area could truly transform the Mid-West region.

"The State Government is keen to work collaboratively with industry through the EOI process, and understand exactly what it will take to transform the area into a globally competitive producer and user of renewable hydrogen."