Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has secured A$814 million (€464 million) in funding through Australia’s Hydrogen Headstart programme to support the Murchison Green Hydrogen project in Western Australia. The project is set to produce approximately 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia annually, primarily for export to Asian markets.
Located 20 km north of Kalbarri in Western Australia’s Mid West region, the project will be powered by 6GW of onshore wind and solar generation. This development marks a significant milestone in advancing Australia’s green hydrogen economy.
Shohan Seneviratne, CEO of Murchison Green Hydrogen, commented: “We are committed to contributing to Australia’s green hydrogen ambitions by creating local jobs, supporting skills development, and sharing project benefits with local communities, including First Nations. We appreciate the support from the Australian Government, Minister Bowen, and ARENA and commend their leadership, vision, and collaboration to make this project and the Australian hydrogen industry a reality.”
The funding, provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will be disbursed over a 10-year period based on production milestones, helping accelerate the development of the project. The Hydrogen Headstart programme aims to bridge the commercial gap between the cost of producing renewable hydrogen and its market price, thereby fostering the growth of large-scale renewable hydrogen projects.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen stated: “Australia has one of the largest renewable hydrogen project pipelines in the world. This support is about unlocking that private capital to help realise our potential, not only to become a renewable energy superpower but create a Future Made in Australia with real jobs right now.
