Fortescue Future Industries and Incitec Pivot progress green conversion of Gibson Island ammonia facility

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) will progress planning for the conversion of IPL’s Gibson Island ammonia facility to run on green hydrogen to its final stages, electing to commence Front End Engineering Design as well as executing a framework agreement to govern the project through to a Final Investment Decision.

With studies having confirmed its feasibility, the proposed project could see the construction of a new ~500MW hydrogen electrolysis facility at the site to produce green hydrogen as well as the retrofitting of IPL’s existing ammonia manufacturing facility to run on the green hydrogen produced onsite.

IPL’s Gibson Island facility will cease traditional fertiliser manufacturing early in the new year. As part of IPL’s decarbonisation strategy and in line with FFI’s goals to help heavy industry decarbonise, the Brisbane ammonia manufacturing and port facility conversion would be a world-first.

IPL Managing Director and CEO Jeanne Johns said the company was pleased to create a pathway to a more sustainable future for the Gibson Island ammonia manufacturing facility after traditional fertiliser production ceases.

By virtue of running on green hydrogen, the facility could ultimately produce up to 400ktpa green ammonia, which can be exported to international markets as well as used in fertiliser or to help decarbonise local industry through its potential use as a low-carbon fuel source for ports, airports and heavy transport.

Front End Engineering Design (FEED) is a critical phase in development and will firm up technical specifications and cost, underpin procurement, as well as mature the project to Final Investment Decision (FID), targeted for 2023. The FEED phase is anticipated to cost around $38 million, with the Federal Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, contributing $13.7 million.

FFI CEO Mark Hutchison said around 100 jobs would be supported across the project in the lead up to FID, with first production, subject to FID, expected around 2025.

“Progressing this project into this final assessment stage is an important milestone in what will be a world-first conversion of an existing facility to become an industrial-scale producer of green hydrogen and green ammonia,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“This collaboration aims to put Queensland and Australia ahead of the pack – not only in terms of the scale of production and supply of green hydrogen and green ammonia, but also in terms of demonstrating to the world that projects like this are feasible and that Australia has the foresight, the commitment, and the know-how to invest in and deliver them.

“We’re so pleased to have the support of a partner in IPL who are as invested as we are in developing real-world solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and equally appreciate the support of the Federal Government who are a key enabler of us progressing the project to its final development phase.”

Ms Johns said today’s announcement was a significant step forward for sustainability with IPL and FFI leading the global charge.

“The potential conversion of Gibson Island to green ammonia shows our commitment to pursuing opportunities to help create a more sustainable world in the new and emerging opportunities stemming from green ammonia,” Ms Johns said.

“We are very pleased to be able to partner with FFI on what would be a world-first project, and I extend my thanks for the partnership and support from both the Federal and Queensland Governments.”

The parties are also working with the Queensland Government to understand how the project could benefit local energy markets and support the delivery of the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan and broader development objectives.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni welcomed the investment saying it builds on the substantial progress collectively being achieved in Queensland.

“Through actions of the Palaszczuk and Albanese Governments, we are building a clean energy ecosystem to facilitate onshore manufacturing, starting with the world’s largest electrolyser plant in Gladstone and now a potential green hydrogen facility to support local manufacturing in Brisbane too,” Minister de Brenni said.

Applications for planning approval for the project will shortly be submitted. FFI are working closely with Powerlink for connection of the project to the Queensland electricity transmission network and with Urban Utilities on sustainable water supply to the project. A domestic and international process is underway to canvas potential buyers of the green ammonia that will be produced by the facility.

About Fortescue Future Industries (FFI)

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) is a global green energy company committed to producing green hydrogen, containing zero carbon, from 100 per cent renewable sources.

Green hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel, that when used produces primarily water. It is a practical and implementable solution that can help revolutionise the way we power our planet: helping to decarbonise heavy industry and create jobs globally.

FFI is leading the green industrial revolution, developing technology solutions for hard-to-decarbonise industries, while building a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects. 

FFI is also leading the global effort to help decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and is developing and acquiring the technology and energy supply to help decarbonise the iron ore operations of  one of the world’s largest producers of iron ore by 2030 (Scope 1 and 2) – our parent company Fortescue Metals Group (ASX FMG).

 fortescue.com

About Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL)

Incitec Pivot Limited's purpose is to make people’s lives better by unlocking the world’s natural resources through innovation on the ground.

An ASX 100 Company, it is a global leader in the resources and agricultural sectors with an unrelenting focus on Zero Harm. With a diverse leadership, we add value for our customers through manufacturing excellence, leading technology solutions, innovation and world class services focused on our customers.

Through Dyno Nobel, we play a critical role in releasing the worlds natural resources, so we can build infrastructure and generate the energy we need to live in a modern world today.

And with population growth, through Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ 100-year heritage in Australian agriculture, we play an important role in enabling sustainable food production to meet the rapidly rising demand for food around the world.