Work has started on a new green hydrogen and ammonia project in New South Wales, marking a step forward in Australia’s shift toward cleaner energy for agriculture.
The 15-megawatt facility will use solar-powered electrolysis to produce more than 200 tonnes of green hydrogen each year, which will then be converted into up to 4,500 tonnes of ammonia fertiliser, Renewables Now reported.
The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project is a joint venture between Hiringa Energy and Sundown Pastoral, with an investment of about AUD 70 million.
Located near Moree, the project will be the first in the state to combine hydrogen and ammonia production in a single integrated setup. Most of the output will be used at Sundown’s Keytah cotton farm to reduce dependence on diesel and conventional fertilisers, while surplus production will be supplied to nearby farms.
The plant will draw power from the nearby Wathagar solar farm, which is currently being expanded to support the project’s energy needs.
Approved earlier this year and backed by AUD 45.2 million in state funding, the facility is expected to be operational by 2027. Authorities say the project could serve as a model for similar developments across the state.
State Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said such initiatives are important to strengthen farming supply chains and reduce reliance on imported fertilisers, especially in the face of global fuel disruptions.
