Kwinana is on the verge of becoming a global centre for cutting-edge clean energy research and training with the award of a major grant to the Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub (KETH).
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook announced today funding would be provided under the State Government’s Investment Attraction Fund (IAF) which aims to attract new investment, create local jobs and diversify the economy across multiple sectors of WA economy including advanced manufacturing, science, innovation and technology. Draw down of the grant funding is subject to formal documentation being agreed.
The KETH is the flagship project of the Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC). It will be a unique industrial-scale facility to research, test and demonstrate decarbonisation technology solutions for the energy industry.
KETH CEO Simona Chady said the State funding of $15 million is a vital milestone for the project as it advances to its Final Investment Decision (FID).
“The need for a facility like the KETH is being driven by demand from governments, organisations and stakeholders who all want to see the successful decarbonisation of our vital energy sector and also accelerate the development of industrial-scale clean hydrogen technologies,” Ms Chady said.
“This grant will provide us with the momentum needed to take a Final Investment Decision (FID) on Phase 1 which will include hydrogen, training, and R&D facilities. With this milestone, the project will be one of the first operational facilities in Kwinana, WA. Over 50 separate research projects are planned for KETH and it will also play a crucial role training the workforce needed for tomorrow’s energy system”.
Ms Chady said the KETH can play a significant role advancing decarbonisation strategies for the broader Kwinana industrial estate and other WA industries as well as advancing the development of new skills and jobs.
“The KETH will contribute to positioning WA as a global leader in clean energy by accelerating commercial-scale hydrogen and also decarbonising the sector through advanced technology development,” she said.
“We are looking forward to working closely with the State and Federal Governments as well as industry to deliver and grow the know-how as well as skills and infrastructure needed to achieve this aim. This project is a great example of collaboration between industry, government, training and research organisations and we thank FEnEx CRC and the Western Australian Government for their support of the project.”
Once fully constructed, the KETH will comprise hydrogen and gas decarbonisation facilities as a platform for the advancement of key technologies to support the energy transition. It will be a first-of-a-kind facility providing an open-access, multi-user environment for demonstrating technologies at industrially relevant scale, as well as certification of equipment and training for process operators.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
“My Government is committed to securing the State’s economic prosperity now, and for generations of Western Australians to come.
“Through the Investment Attraction Fund, we’re driving a strong and diversified economy that delivers secure, quality jobs for the future.
“We’re building on WA’s economic strengths, and embracing new and innovative industries – positioning our State at the forefront of the global energy transition.
“We’re backing local companies to manufacture here in WA, to value-add, and to take on the world in developing high-tech products for the future.
“I’m proud to lead a Government focused on the future – and making sure jobs and the economy remain strong.”
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FEnEx CRC CEO Professor Eric May said: “Seeing the KETH project reach this milestone is an excellent outcome for our CRC and its mission to actually demonstrate industrial-scale technologies that can decarbonise LNG exports and lower the cost of clean hydrogen production.”
“A lot of work has gone into achieving this milestone. The educational and research benefits that the KETH will bring to this state will ensure it is and remains a focal point of knowledge leadership central to the energy transition.”
About the KETH and FEnEx CRC
The KETH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre and was established in 2021. More details can be found at www.keth.com.au
The Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation striving to help decarbonise energy exports through industrial-scale research and innovation. Through research and innovation targeting the decarbonisation of LNG production and growing the use and export of clean hydrogen, the FEnEx CRC will help Australia to remain at the forefront of energy provision internationally.
Established in 2020 as a research and education-driven charity, FEnEx CRC brings together industry participants, governments, innovative research universities and international affiliates to collaborate on projects that address the key challenges now facing Australia’s energy exports.
FEnEx CRC research is supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the Cooperative Research Centres program.
More detail can be found at www.fenex.org.au
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MEDIA CONTACT: James Bowie at [email protected] or telephone +61 424 013 756
