Orica Starts Green Hydrogen Hub in Australia

Why this is here: The Hunter Valley hub is designed to produce up to 12 tonnes of green hydrogen each day, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional ammonia synthesis.

Orica, in Hunter Valley, Australia, received A$432 million to build a green hydrogen production hub. The project partners with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Australian Government through the Hydrogen Headstart program.

A 50-megawatt electrolyser will split water using renewable energy, producing roughly 12 tonnes of green hydrogen daily. This hydrogen will replace natural gas in ammonia synthesis, reducing carbon emissions by up to 800 kilotonnes annually.

The hub expects to create 300 construction jobs and 50 permanent positions. Orica plans to expand production in phases, aiming for up to 100 megawatts of electrolysis capacity. The company intends to lower hydrogen costs to A$4–5 per kilogram.

While the specific electrolyser technology remains undisclosed, the project’s modular design includes a water recycling pilot program. Analysts forecast hundreds of millions of dollars in green ammonia exports by 2030. Further development will depend on grid connections, renewable energy agreements, and community consultation.