Provaris Energy Ltd’s (ASX.PV1) Tiwi H2 project has been awarded Major Project Status by the NT Government.
Tiwi H2 is an integrated compressed green hydrogen production and export development, located on the Tiwi Islands, producing up to 100,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen for export into the Asia Pacific region.
The endorsement of the Tiwi H2 project by the NT Government is another significant milestone for Provaris as we move forward with our development programme,” Provaris’ Managing Director, Martin Carolan, said.
“Major Project Status will deliver the project access to coordinated and streamlined Government agency support for future approvals and assistance with Federal Government agencies. Today’s announcement supports the Territory’s vision to be recognised as a leader in the transition to the green hydrogen economy.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, said the award of Major Project Status by the government is recognition to the substantial economic and social benefits expected to be delivered by the Tiwi H2 project and its potential strategic significance to the Northern Territory and Australia in developing a hydrogen production and export industry.
Major Project Status is awarded by the NT Government to projects that it recognises as having significance, strategic impact and potential benefits to the NT. The benefits of Major Project Status include whole of government support, coordination and facilitation, assistance in identifying and mapping regulatory approvals, a dedicated project case manager and facilitation of engagement with the Australian Government.
As part of the Major Project Status award, Provaris and the NT Government have entered into a Project Facilitation Agreement (PFA) to work in a spirit of co-operation to seek to achieve the timely, efficient and effective development of the Tiwi H2 project and to maximise the economic and community benefit for the Northern Territory.
The Tiwi H2 project intends to use solar energy to produce up to 100,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen for export markets, using Provaris’ proprietary GH2 Carriers for shipping compressed hydrogen gas to the Asia Pacific region.
The project is estimated to create 500 jobs during construction and 100 positions once operational, with a project life of over 30 years. The Tiwi Islands location offers several benefits to Provaris’ compressed hydrogen delivery model, including existing port infrastructure at Port Melville, an existing port industrial area for hydrogen production, and a location along the most north-western part of Australia – all provide the Tiwi H2 project with a significant competitive advantage for exporting compressed green hydrogen to the Asia Pacific region, including potential markets in Singapore, South Korea and Japan.
The award of Major Project Status follows two recent milestones completed for the Tiwi H2 project: 1. Lodgement of a Referral submission on 30 June 2022 to the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (NT EPA) for the proposed Tiwi H2 Project, with a decision on the environmental approval assessment level expected in early October 2022. 2. Completion of the positive Tiwi H2 Project Concept Design Study on 1 August 2022, which established a clear pathway for Provaris to progress the project forward to Pre-FEED and FEED level technical, commercial, and economic studies and consideration of potential financing options.