Indigenous communities and climate solutions firm collaborate to deliver Australia’s first clean energy export hub
Indigenous communities in Australia have teamed up with a leading climate change solutions company to deliver a pioneering clean energy project in Western Australia
The East Kimberley Clean Energy Project, is set to become one of the nation's largest clean energy endeavors, producing green hydrogen products for both domestic consumption and export markets.
Taking advantage of the region's abundant sunshine, fresh water, and export-ready harbor, the project will establish Australia's first 100 percent renewable energy hydrogen and ammonia production hub.
The traditional landowners of the East Kimberley region, represented by the MG Corporation and Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation, have joined forces with the Kimberley Land Council and climate change investment and advisory firm, Pollination, as equal shareholders in the project development process and the company overseeing its execution.
The project has garnered attention for its first-of-its-kind partnership model, which embraces a true co-design and co-decision-making approach involving Indigenous communities. The Aboriginal Clean Energy (ACE) Partnership, established specifically for this initiative, ensures an integrated development process that takes into account heritage, native title, environmental, and engineering considerations.
Stage one of the project entails the construction of a greenfield 900MW solar farm, making it the largest of its kind in Australia. Additionally, a 50,000-tonne-per-annum hydrogen production facility will be established on MG Corporation freehold land near Kununurra, Western Australia. This facility will utilize electrolysis to convert fresh water from Lake Argyle into green hydrogen, which will be transported via a new 120km pipeline to the existing Port of Wyndham.
At the Port of Wyndham, the hydro facility at Lake Argyle will supply baseload renewable energy to an ammonia production facility. This stage is set to produce around 250,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia, making it Australia's sole 100 percent renewable green hydrogen and ammonia project. The produced green ammonia will be utilized both locally in agriculture and exported to key trading partners in Asia and Europe.
The project development timeline estimates that construction may commence as early as late 2025, with the first production expected by the end of 2028, pending feasibility and capital raising stages.
The groundbreaking collaboration sets a precedent for First Nations' participation in large infrastructure projects and the clean energy sector, aligning with Australia's climate change commitments. The East Kimberley Clean Energy Project is a step towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future, demonstrating how Indigenous communities can be integral in Australia's transition to a cleaner and greener energy landscape.
