Fortescue breaks ground on 2-GW electrolyser factory in Queensland

Australia’s Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) on Sunday said it has started construction of its electrolyser facility with an initial capacity of 2 GW per year, set to become the largest globally, in Gladstone, Queensland.

The AUD-114-million (USD 82.3m/EUR 73.4m) electrolyser factory represents the first stage of the company’s Green Energy Manufacturing Centre (GEM) in Gladstone conceived as a green manufacturing hub that could include production of cables, batteries, wind turbines and solar panels.

The electrolyser facility is a 50:50 joint venture, subject to approvals, between the green energy business of iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) and Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG).

It is expected to start production in early 2023, with the first electrolysers to be used in FFI’s proposed green hydrogen-to-ammonia project at Gibson Island in Queensland.

“The GEM will become an epicentre for Queensland’s green hydrogen ambitions, building on Gladstone’s skilled workforce and great foresight in industrial master-planning including a world class port,” said Fortescue chairman and founder Andrew Forrest.

Commenting on the step, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “There is no doubt that the hydrogen industry will play a key role in future employment, investment and export opportunities for Queensland.”

FFI secured planning approval for the facility to be located at Aldoga in the Gladstone State Development Area in November 2021.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.722/EUR 0.643)

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