Frontier Energy Ltd (ASX:FHE) has agreed to access water for its green hydrogen facility at the Bristol Springs Renewable Energy Project from the existing Stirling Trunk Main pipeline, a major milestone achieved in consultation with the Western Australian Government-owned Water Corporation.
Fronter’s Stage One strategy is to develop a 114 megawatt (MW) solar farm to power a 36.6MW alkaline electrolyser, which will produce about 4.4 million kilograms of green hydrogen per annum. The long-term target is to generate renewable energy in excess of 1 gigawatt.
The pipeline is 3.5 kilometres from the project located about 120 kilometres from Perth.
Location of the Stirling Trunk Main pipeline and the Bristol Springs Project.
Big advantage
“The location of our Bristol Springs Renewable Energy Project has again given the company a significant advantage compared to our peers in more remote locations,” said Frontier executive chairman Grant Davey.
“Accessing suitable water, one of the two critical elements for green hydrogen production, the other being renewable energy, via the existing water pipeline network means the company does not require the development of a desalination facility.
“This not only saves the project millions in capital development costs but also reduces the time to first production as additional approvals and environmental studies are not required.”
More than enough water
The pipeline connection has a capacity for 1,250 kilolitres (Kl) of water per day, which is more than sufficient to supply the 750Kl per day needed for Stage One of the project. It is also enough to meet Frontier’s mid-term expansion strategy.
As well, the indicative cost for water usage matches the $2.5/Kl assumed in the pre-feasibility study.
A final agreement with Water Corporation is expected later this year.