State Government in talks with major South Korean renewable energy leader to build ammonia plant in Geraldton

The Narngulu Industrial Estate has been revealed as the chosen location to build the State’s first green ammonia plant, with the WA Government entering into exclusive negotiations with a major South Korean investor. The Cook Government is in talks with the major South Korean renewable energy consortium to build the first green ammonia plant on two Government-owned lots at the Narngulu Industrial Estate after an agreement was signed last November. East Perth mining company Progressive Green Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO), part of the State-owned Korea Electric Company, last year, while Samsung C&T was exploring involvement. The Korean companies propose to build a plant on the NIE, 12km south-east of Geraldton. DevelopmentWA brokered a land-use solution to accommodate the project and pave the way for a new renewable energy cluster in Geraldton while the planned hydrogen hub at Oakajee gets under way. The facility is expected to produce up to 1 million tonnes of green ammonia annually using renewable energy, with shipments to South Korea estimated to begin in 2027. City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said it was an ambitious time line and the City would remain “cautiously optimistic” as more details about the proposal over the next six months were released. “Greater Geraldton has seen a number of globally significant enterprises looking to create Geraldton a base for renewable hydrogen,” he said. “This facilitation agreement obviously brings this consortium a bit closer than others to development. However, (it’s) still a very early sign that a lot of work needs to be done.” Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said interest from international proponents validated the potential for renewable energy in the Mid West and highlighted WA’s exciting role assisting with global decarbonisation. “We look forward to growth in the renewables sector across Western Australia leading towards a better, decarbonised future,” she said. Lands Minister John Carey said Narngulu had attracted local and foreign investors looking to use its closeness to industrial areas and transport links, including Geraldton Port. “Through strategic planning, we’ve been able to attract interest in our regions through making industrial land available to build businesses for the future,” he said. Energy Minister Bill Johnston said green ammonia projects were one way to unlock significant local manufacturing jobs in the Mid West. “With its exceptional renewable energy resources, the Mid West is attracting significant global interest and investments from markets such as South Korea, Japan and Europe, seeking to support the decarbonisation of their economies,” he said.