New green hydrogen plant planned for Australia
The project, called Bell Bay Powerfuels, is backed by the Australian government and will involve an investment of €1.1 billion.
Bell Bay Powerfuels will produce 200,000 tonnes of green methanol per year in its first phase of development, rising to 300,000 tonnes in its second phase. This will make the project one of the largest in the world.
Green methanol will supply the shipping market as well as other applications. From 2021, the world's leading shipping companies are opting for large ships designed to run on ultra-clean-burning green methanol.
"Iberdrola Australia's investment in the Bell Bay Powerfuels Project demonstrates our commitment to helping Australian businesses reduce their carbon emissions in sectors where historically, both technically and economically, it has been more difficult to make this transition. We are delighted to be able to combine Iberdrola's global expertise in green hydrogen technologies with ABEL Energy's local knowledge and commercial drive," said Ross Rolfe, CEO and managing director of Iberdrola Australia.
"Together with Iberdrola, we look forward to driving green hydrogen to commercial scale in Australia and establishing a new climate technology industry that will benefit the Tamar Valley community and its future generations. We are delighted to have Iberdrola's support as a financial partner and as an expert in building and operating large-scale renewable energy in Australia and around the world," addedMichael van Baarle, co-founder and CEO of ABEL Energy.