Fortescue has today officially opened its world-leading electrolyser manufacturing facility in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia – one of the first globally to house an automated assembly line.
The 15,000sqm advanced manufacturing facility, constructed and fully commissioned in just over 2 years, will have capacity to produce over 2GW of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks annually.
Fortescue Executive Chair and Founder Dr Andrew Forrest AO said Fortescue was proud to be a first mover.
“We are grateful for the Queensland and Federal Government’s vision and early support to help get us started”, Dr Forrest said.
“Together we have laid the cornerstone for what will be a massive new manufacturing industry in Australia creating the potential for thousands of new green energy jobs.”
Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson said the Gladstone facility, which produces electrolysers designed in-house by Fortescue teams in Australia and the United States, establishes the company as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
“The process of splitting hydrogen and oxygen isn’t new – but the innovative ways the world is looking to use green hydrogen to decarbonise are, and that means demand for green hydrogen and for the electrolysers to produce it is growing rapidly,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“This facility positions Fortescue and Gladstone as a large-scale producer of what will be an increasingly sought-after commodity in the global shift to green energy.
“We’re strategically focussed on building out our Energy business. Not only are we developing a pipeline of green energy projects, we’re also now designing and manufacturing the specialised equipment and technology that will underpin our green hydrogen projects and that of others.”
The development of the site was enabled by support from the Queensland Government, including the provision of an electrical sub-station, road network, communications and local scheme water connection, as well as the allocation of land. The Australian Government also contributed AU$44m from the Collaboration Stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Electrolysers split hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electrical current through water, which is made up of both molecules.
“We know that technology in this space moves very quickly so as well as producing electrolysers today, this facility also provides an amazing environment for our team to learn and then leverage that experience to drive innovation and develop the solutions of tomorrow,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“We will continue to research, manufacture, source and invest in new electrolyser technologies across the world to give us the best possible competitive position.
The electrolyser facility is the first stage of a wider Green Energy Manufacturing Centre being developed by Fortescue on the 100 hectare Gladstone site, the next phases of which will also include a hydrogen system testing facility and Fortescue’s PEM50 green hydrogen project.
More than 100 jobs were created during the construction process, with the facility and wider Centre to ultimately underpin over 300 direct and indirect jobs.
- State of the art hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing facility officially opens in Gladstone’s State Development Area (SDA).
- Miles Government gives green light for next phase of development which will produce green hydrogen for local and export markets.
- Early and ongoing government support secured this world leading project for Queensland.
- Gladstone cementing its spot as Australia’s hydrogen capital.
Gladstone and Queensland are cementing their spots as world leaders when it comes to clean economy manufacturing jobs in hydrogen and renewable energy, with the official opening of a major hydrogen industry manufacturing project and the approvals announced for the next stage to commence.
The Miles Government today held a cabinet meeting at, and officially opened, Fortescue’s Gladstone Electrolyser Facility the first manufacturing facility in Australia to build hydrogen electrolysers at a commercial scale and one of the largest globally.
The facility is the first stage of a wider Green Energy Manufacturing Centre being developed by Fortescue on the 100-hectare site located on the Aldoga Industrial Estate in the Gladstone State Development Area.
It has an initial production capacity of over two (2) gigawatts per annum – significantly increasing current global production, and, at full capacity, enough to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen each year.
The next phase – a 50MW green hydrogen production facility called PEM50 – today received development approval from Queensland’s Coordinator General, paving the way for construction to begin.
PEM50 will use the locally made Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers with approval to produce green hydrogen for local and export markets. Once operational it will be the first commercial scale green hydrogen facility for Fortescue.
Collectively, the two Fortescue projects will generate 240 jobs during construction and 93 ongoing local operational jobs. Fortescue estimates that as the energy precinct continues to develop, more than 300 indirect local jobs will also be supported.
The Miles Government supported the project in a range of ways including the provision of an electrical sub-station, road network, communications, and local scheme water connection, as well as the allocation of land.
Hydrogen is diverse and can be used in a range of ways including transport fuel, for industrial heating, and as a feedstock for other chemicals such as methanol.
Premier Steven Miles: “This facility delivers new clean economy manufacturing jobs in Gladstone, and my government is right behind it.
“Fortescue’s Gladstone Electrolyser Facility is not only a Queensland first, but also an Australian first – right here in our backyard.
“It will be by far Australia’s largest manufacturer of hydrogen electrolysers and one of the largest in the world.
“This is why one of my first announcements as Premier was to commit to 75% emissions reduction by 2035 on the path to net zero because it means accelerating investment in good clean economy jobs in our industrial heartlands.
“Queensland is now leading the nation on investment in renewable energy, and we are now seeing that translate into good manufacturing jobs in our regions”.
Hon. Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science: “This demonstrates our commitment to a Future Made in Australia, while also helping the country make the transition to net zero.
“We can cut emissions and increase jobs at the same time.
“Regional Queensland can play an important role here, and we are investing in its ability to do just that.
“This Hydrogen Gigafactory shows what can be achieved when government and industry work together for the long-term good of the country.”
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick: “When Queensland’s regions are strong, Queensland is strong.
“This world class industrial facility will support good, secure manufacturing jobs in Central Queensland for generations to come.
“While David Crisafulli and the Queensland LNP deny the science of climate change and oppose Queensland’s ambitious emissions reduction target, the Miles Labor Government will continue to support the development of a clean, renewable energy future for Queensland.”
State Development Minister Grace Grace: “The Miles Government is proud to have worked alongside Fortescue over the past three years to deliver one of Australia’s leading hydrogen industry projects.
“It’s projects like this that bring our visionary strategies like the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, and the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Development Strategy to life.
“Fortescue could have made this significant investment anywhere in Australia, and they chose Queensland thanks to the support the government could offer through my department when it came to things like a single point of contact for project management and coordination, fast tracking approvals, and provision of trunk infrastructure.
“This means jobs for Queenslanders, innovative industries for our regions, and places like Gladstone continuing their vital role in providing energy now and into the future.”
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni: “This project is another example of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan bringing new industries to the Sunshine State and creating opportunities for local manufacturing and international exports.
“By onshoring the manufacture of hydrogen industry components, Queenslanders will reap enduring benefits all the way through the value chain, as global industry transforms and decarbonises.
“Having local manufacturing capability and energy independence has never been more important, and this project helps to achieve both.”
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher: “Gladstone is at the forefront of growing new industries to build on our sovereign industrial capability.
“New industries like this provide opportunities for local manufacturers to become part of the domestic supply chain and also export their products to the world.
“I’m proud to announce GAWB has concluded negotiations with Fortescue for their long-term Water Supply Contract for their Green Electrolyser Facility and future hydrogen pilot plant.”
Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson: “This facility will position Gladstone as a leading Australian manufacturer of green energy technology,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“The world is looking for solutions to decarbonise, and green hydrogen has a major role to play in this. As the demand for green hydrogen grows, so too will the demand for the electrolysers needed to produce it.
“This facility, delivered and commissioned in less than 2 years and with one of the only automated production lines of its kind, is a demonstration of what is possible when governments and business work together in the interests of our economy and our environment.”
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