Australia’s Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has begun building its first “green” hydrogen plant in the Arizona, US, which is expected to produce up to 11,000 tonnes of the element annually.
Construction of the project, dubbed Arizona Hydrogen, is part of Fortescue’s $550 million commitment to developing an electrolyzer and liquefaction facility in Phoenix, where first production of liquid green hydrogen is targeted for 2026.
The world’s fourth-largest iron ore maker, which is expanding into renewable resources with its Fortescue Energy unit, said the Arizona plant is slated to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and more than 400 permanent positions once in operation.
The process of producing green hydrogen is powered entirely by renewable energy. Since it doesn’t generates polluting emissions is considered the cleanest and most sustainable form of hydrogen.
“Fortescue is unashamedly a first-mover in this space, the world needs us to move quickly,” Fortescue executive chair and founder Andrew Forrest said. “But, we need to be encouraged to that, not punished. There are rules right now under consideration with the Biden Administration that would make already announced projects like this one dramatically more expensive and smaller, resulting in fewer economic opportunities and slower progress on decarbonization.”
The project launching ceremony at the site with local, state and tribal leaders joining Fortescue executive chair and founder Andrew Forrest. (Image courtesy of Fortescue.)
Fortescue has been expanding its presence in the green energy market in recent months. Late last year, it approved investments of about $750 million over the next three years for the Arizona hub and two other projects: the Gladstone 50 megawatt green hydrogen project in Queensland, Australia; and the Christmas Creek green iron trial commercial plant in Western Australia.
The miner has also announced its intention to build an advanced manufacturing facility in Michigan and it has opened an office in New York, called Fortescue Capital, to attract more investment into its green energy businesses.
As part of the strategy to scale up its green energy unit, Fortescue said last year it would no longer allocate 10% of its net profits to this business Instead, projects and investments will compete for capital allocation, with additional funding coming from external investors.
Fortescue expects to maintain equity stakes ranging from 25% to 50% in these projects, where it will partner with outside investors.
The miner is expected to make final investment decisions on green hydrogen initiatives in northeastern Brazil and Norway before year-end.
Source: MINING.COM – Read More
