MINISTER for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe says Moree farms will soon be able to cut emissions with the region set to host a green hydrogen and ammonia plant – powered by renewable energy – after the Sundown Pastoral Company project was recently given the green light.
The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project west of Moree will be one of the first large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities in New South Wales.
It is expected to create at least 60 jobs during construction and 10 permanent positions once the facility is up and running.
The NSW Government is investing $45.2 million in the project to increase the production and availability of green hydrogen across the state.
The more than $70 million project, a joint venture between Hiringa Energy Pty Ltd and Sundown Pastoral Company, will produce enough green hydrogen to create 4500 tonnes of ammonia a year for use as fuel and fertiliser.
Once in operation, the facility will primarily supply Sundown’s Keytah cotton farm.
What isn’t used by Sundown will be available to supply other local farming operations in the region.
Minister for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said the Good Earth Green hydrogen and Ammonia project demonstrates how renewable energy is helping reduce emissions in sectors like agriculture that are traditionally difficult to decarbonise.
“NSW is building the technology to cut emissions, support our industries and create new jobs of the future,” she said.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the project will power the regional economy while helping New South Wales move towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
“Innovations like this which not only replace the use of traditional fossil fuels but cut the need for lengthy transportation are an exciting sign of how industry is evolving to support more sustainable outcomes,” he said.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the project is a great example of how the oldest industry in the world – agriculture – is to this day continuing to find ways to innovate.
“This is a great project that will see local farms able to replace fossil fuels with renewables supporting a more sustainable future in NSW,” she said.
