South Australia’s 200MW Whyalla hydrogen power plant gains environmental approval

TheSouth Australian Government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan power generation project inWhyalla has been granted environmental approval.

Havingsecured development approvals in August, the project will build 250MW ofelectrolysers that will provide hydrogen to a 200MW power generation unit, witha storage pipeline for up to 100 tonnes of hydrogen included.

Theproject will provide power to homes and businesses across the state, by usingexcess renewable energy generation from wind and solar farms.

Approvedunder the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC),the state government will now have to produce project management plans and anenvironmental impact offset strategy.

TheOffice of Hydrogen Power SA (OHPSA), ATCO Australia, and BOC will develop theproject, which has received over AUD $402m ($263.8m) in funding. Operations areexpected to begin in 2026.

“Thisapproval is a testament to our commitment to balance renewable energydevelopment with conservation,” said OHPSA CEO, Sam Crafter. “We are proud totake a responsible approach that not only drives employment opportunities andinnovation in Whyalla but also safeguards the unique biodiversity in theregion.”

Source:H2-view