The solar and green hydrogen East Kimberley Clean Energy project for Western Australia was announced in July 2023.
Equity partnership
The project is based on a 4-way equity partnership between clean energy investor Pollination and three Traditional Owner groups:
- the Balanggarra people through the Balanggarra Ventures Corporation (a subsidiary of Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC)
- the Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal Corporation (MG Corporation)
- Kimberley Land Council.
The three Traditional Owner groups each have an initial 25% share in the new company they've formed, Aboriginal Clean Energy, with Pollination also having a 25% share.
This is a new partnership model that places Traditional Owners as shareholders, not just stakeholders. Pollination
The Partnership holds equity in the company developing, constructing and operating the Project.
During the project’s development process, 'the Partnership will decide how they are to be compensated and included in the Project pre and post final investment decision'.
The project
The East Kimberley Clean Energy project will see a ~ 2,000-hectare solar farm developed on MG Corporation freehold land near Kununurra.
The resulting solar energy (approximately 1,000 megawatts) will be combined with water and hydro energy from the existing Ord Hydro Power Plant at Lake Argyle to produce green hydrogen.
The green hydrogen will be transported by pipeline to Balanggarra Country in Wyndham where it will be converted to green ammonia.
The green ammonia will be sold locally as a fertiliser for irrigated agriculture, and will also be exported.
Where’s it up to
In March 2024 the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) committed $1.6 million towards a feasibility study for the project.
"This project will pave the way for First Nations-led renewable energy developments and ARENA will be working to ensure the lessons we learn from East Kimberley inform future projects.” Darren Miller, ARENA chief executive (2024)
As of August 2024, the Aboriginal Clean Energy partnership had delivered the first phase of the feasibility study, as per the project’s Workforce and Capacity Building Report.
They reiterated that First Nations’ agency, self-determination and decision-making is crucial to Projects developed on Country.
Stage 2 of the feasibility study is progressing in 2026, with 'more detailed and complex work, along with higher levels of community and stakeholder engagement.'
The project proponents are targeting a final investment decision in 2027 with post-commissioning hydrogen production operations scheduled for 2030.
More information
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