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The Three Gorges Dam is currently the biggest individual producer of electricity on the planet. A project in Australia could reach 26 GW and surpass it. The consortium working on the endeavor is planning a hybrid power plant consisting of wind turbines and solar panels and the world’s largest green hydrogen and green ammonia hub.
The government in Canberra awarded Asian Renewable Energy Hub with a major project status. CWP Renewables, Intercontinental Energy and their partners intend to build a power plant in the Western Australian desert with a record capacity, together with the largest center for so-called green hydrogen anywhere, and to export the fuel.
Australia decided to support the facility planned at 26 GW and streamline the licensing process. Wind turbines and solar panels will make up the hybrid power plant east of Port Hedland, valued at USD 35.6 billion.
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There are no emissions in production, consumption of green hydrogen, ammonia
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using renewable energy, so there are no emissions of greenhouse gases. In the blue and gray hydrogen technology, the H2 molecule is separated from fossil fuels.
In its first phase, for 15 GW and estimated to be worth USD 25.7 billion, Asian Renewable Energy Hub will have 1,700 wind turbines. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. The wind power section should account for two thirds of the capacity there.
The megaproject is estimated at USD 35.6 billion and CWP Renewables, Intercontinental Energy and other participants intend to install 15 GW in the first stage
Up to 3 GW is earmarked for the mining industry in the Pilbara region while the rest will mostly be used for making green hydrogen and green ammonia, to be transported by sea.
Green ammonia is produced from hydrogen and nitrogen, extracted from air. The commodity is used for electricity generation, pharmaceutical products, fuel for ships and fertilizers. The water for the electrolysis will be taken from the ocean.
CWP Renewables recently launched an investment cycle for Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. It has the ambition to develop renewable power plants of 1 GW in Serbia. Wind and solar power projects of 300 MW each are already in the pipeline.
Vestas is responsible for wind turbines
Danish wind turbine maker Vestas is a partner of CWP Renewables and Intercontinental Energy, which is developing hydrogen technology. Major lender and investment fund manager Macquarie is also involved, as is Pathway Investments.
Twenty thousand direct and indirect jobs will be created during the works in the first phase, they said. The start of production is expected in 2027. Annual output in full capacity is projected at 100 TWh of power, compared to last year’s 265 TWh in the whole of Australia.
Asian Renewable Energy Hub will take up 6,500 square kilometers near the Indian Ocean. The Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s largest power plant. It has 22.5 GW.
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