Global Energy Ventures Ltd (ASX:GEV) has made headway with engineering and environmental permitting work for its 2.8-gigawatt Tiwi Islands green hydrogen export project.
The energy stock says support from key stakeholders like the Munupi landowners and Tiwi Plantation Corporation Board continues, with permission granted for an increase in land area at the Tiwi H2 property.
This means that GEV can advance the environmental and engineering studies that need to take place on Tiwi land to support its solar transmission, hydrogen production and port facilities.
Once online, GEV’s project will deliver a fully integrated green hydrogen production and export supply chain, producing up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen every year for export into the Asia-Pacific region.
Advancing a low environmental footprint
GEV continues to pursue a low environmental footprint for Tiwi H2, where it’s targeting an investment decision in 2023 and first exports in 2026.
The project will include a 2.8-gigawatt solar site, a transmission line and hydrogen facilities. It’ll also take advantage of existing port infrastructure on the Tiwi Islands.
GEV is working a referral submission for the NT Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which will help determine the level of assessment required for the Tiwi H2 project.
The company expects to lodge its referral submission next quarter, with the EPA’s decision anticipated in the September quarter.
In the meantime, Global Energy’s required engineering studies are advancing, covering key project areas like solar generation, power transmission and water desalination to support its referral submission.
Environmental consultations are also underway, with on-ground field surveys expected to underpin work on the company’s environmental referral submission in the first half of 2022.
What’s more, GEV has engaged consultants to design the proposed 2.8-gigawatt solar farm and transmission line, covering construction, operation and generation modelling.
The company’s 2022 Tiwi hydrogen development program remains fully funded.
Watch: Global Energy Ventures secures Traditional Owner permissions to proceed on Tiwi H2 export project
“Important step forward”
Speaking to the permitting work, GEV executive director and chief development officer Garry Triglavcanin said: “Tiwi H2 continues to receive the support from the Munupi Landowners, as demonstrated with all permissions requested being granted at a recent meeting held on Melville Island.
“Permissions include an increase in available land to be made available for the project, consultants to be on-country for required environmental surveys, and further engineering surveys and studies to follow in the June quarter of 2022.
“The project’s referral submission to the EPA is advancing and on track for completion in the June quarter.
“This is an important step forward, as the environmental process is likely to drive the project schedule for a target investment decision in the latter part of 2023.
“GEV is also advancing the design of the 2.8-gigawatt solar site and transmission line with the appointment of consultants with significant design, construction and operational experience in locations across northern Australia.”
Next steps
Moving ahead, GEV plans to:
- Progress environmental and engineering surveys and studies, mostly on country, in line with the existing permissions and referral submission requirements;
- Prepare for and commence solar monitoring in two locations in the September quarter over 12 months. Permissions have been granted, with associated monitoring agreements with the Tiwi Plantation Corp to be concluded in the June quarter;
- Request a proposal and appoint lead consultants in the June quarter to commence detailed engineering, working towards the financial close of an initial development phase by the second half of 2023; and
- Continue preliminary marketing focused on green hydrogen from Tiwi H2. GEV is working to identify bankable parties for potential offtake and investment across markets like Singapore, Japan, Korea and Indonesia.