Name of the Project
Port Pirie green hydrogen project.
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia.
Project Owner/s
Physical commodity trading company Trafigura Group, multimetals manufacturing business Nyrstar and the state government of South Australia.
Project Description
The proposed commercial-scale green hydrogen manufacturing facility will form the cornerstone of a new green hydrogen precinct in Port Pirie, which will benefit local businesses and support the decarbonisation of transport and industry.
The project will be developed in phases, initially producing 20 t/d of green hydrogen for export in the form of green ammonia.
The full-scale plant will produce 100 t/d of green hydrogen at full capacity from a 440 MW electrolyser, enabling it to meet export and domestic supply needs.
The oxygen created in the production of hydrogen will be used by the Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter.
The project is planned to be integrated into Nyrstar Australia’s metals recovery smelter at Port Pirie, using existing infrastructure to accelerate production of green hydrogen, compared with developing a project on a new greenfield site.
Trafigura will source 100% renewable energy to provide the electricity needed to run the project’s electrolyser, which will also contribute to decarbonising the existing smelter’s power supply.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
A$750-million.
Planned Start/End Date
If the project is approved, construction will start in 2023.
Latest Developments
Trafigura has abandoned plans to build the green hydrogen plant, a spokesperson for the company has said.
Trafigura announced such plans in 2021 to lower its carbon emissions, with a design study – jointly funded by Trafigura and the South Australian state government – commissioned.
"In 2023, Trafigura completed an A$5-million feasibility study into a green hydrogen project at Port Pirie. Following completion of the study, the decision was taken not to proceed . . ." Trafigura told Reuters on March 25.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Trafigura global press office, tel +41 22 592 4528 or email media@trafigura.com. 