PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Green energy developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) will partner with global green energy company Windlab on a Super Hub in North Queensland.

The Super Hub could generate more than 10 GW of wind and solar power and underpin the industrial-scale production of green hydrogen from purpose-built facilities within Queensland

The first stage of the proposed project includes the 800 MW Prairie Wind Farm and the 1 000 MW Wongalee project and is currently in detailed planning, with land agreements in place and the application for development approval for Prairie Wind Farm planned for submission in the coming months.

Subject to approvals, construction on the first stage is expected to start in 2025 with the project anticipated to begin to produce power by 2027. Energy generated from the project stands to produce green hydrogen as well as feed renewable power to the grid.

FFI CEO Mark Hutchinson said the opportunity was a game-changer for Queensland that will accelerate decarbonisation of the grid and help make green hydrogen a reality at an industrial scale.

“Australia’s natural resources, including its wind, sun and landmass, are unrivalled in terms of their potential for the production of green energy – green hydrogen in particular – and that is no truer than in the sunshine state,” Hutchinson said.

“This is about ensuring Queensland and Australia are in the best possible position to play a leading role in the production and supply of green hydrogen globally.

“For the first time, the North Queensland Super Hub will provide the quantity of renewable energy we need to support large-scale green hydrogen production right here in Queensland. The environmental and economic opportunities that can stem from this are significant, both in terms of lowering emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and in terms of local job creation.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said Queensland was fast becoming a renewable energy and hydrogen superpower.

“The Super Hub will secure Townsville and North Queensland as an ideal location to support large-scale green hydrogen projects, bringing with it good secure jobs,” Miles said.

“With world-renowned wind and sun resources, North Queensland is the perfect place for FFI and Windlab to invest in a Super Hub and bring more renewable energy into the system.

“The Super Hub will also form part of the Queensland Super Grid.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the North Queensland Super Hub would accelerate the development of the Northern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (QREZ) and sit at the heart of Queensland’s SuperGrid.

“Our SuperGrid, made up of wind and solar projects, battery storage and pumped hydro – will supply Queensland with clean, affordable and reliable energy in the decades ahead,” she said.

“Building the SuperGrid is a key part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which we released in September this year. The plan represents A$62-billion of public and private investment in the energy system by 2035.

“It will create 100 000 jobs by 2040, and guarantee secure jobs for energy workers. And it will help our state to further decarbonise, to reach the ambitious renewable energy targets we’ve set, including 70% renewable energy by 2032.”