Hydrogen electrolysers could soon be manufactured in Western Australia, following a $450,000 joint study between the State Government, Linde Engineering and ITM Power.
The study will establish a business case for the manufacturing of hydrogen electrolysers, a key initiative in implementing the state’s Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.
As the expansion of hydrogen production continues, the demand for critical equipment such as electrolysers will increase, presenting a new opportunity for local advanced manufacturing industries.
In June 2022, the McGowan Government invited ITM Power in partnership with Linde Engineering in Australia to develop a business case for local electrolyser assembly and manufacture.
The business case aims to identify the site, costs, and local demand needed to get upstream manufacturing underway.
Western Australia’s Minister for the Hydrogen Industry, Alannah MacTiernan, said the government would invest $225,000 from its $500,000 Climate Action Fund toward the study’s total cost.
“Developing WA’s advanced manufacturing capability to produce critical components for renewable hydrogen production just makes good sense – as it will increase the resilience of our future hydrogen supply chains,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Funding this feasibility study is the first step toward manufacturing components for renewable hydrogen within the state. We want to be part of the full technology story in hydrogen.
“We look forward to working closely with the partnership of ITM Power and Linde Engineering in Australia to help Western Australia lead the nation in renewable hydrogen component manufacturing.
“Other industry players involved have been advised that they would also be welcome to seek partnerships with us in the future. We are keen to work with any company that wishes to invest in local manufacturing.”
Electrolysers produce renewable hydrogen using electrolysis, a chemical process which separates water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules using electricity.
Global forecasts project the demand for electrolysers capacity will increase from 0.3GW today, close to 850GW by 2030, and almost 3,600GW by 2050.
Western Australians themselves could have up to 100GW of renewable hydrogen generation capacity in the state by 2030.
As the expansion of hydrogen production continues, the demand for critical equipment such as electrolysers will increase, presenting a new opportunity for local advanced manufacturing industries.
Under the Climate Action Fund, $500,000 has been allocated to support industry proponents in undertaking feasibility studies regarding the potential size, scale and market for electrolyser manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance opportunities.
These studies will allow the state to better position itself in the supply chain for renewable hydrogen, by providing clearly defined opportunities around potential manufacturing capabilities.
