8 February 2022

The Territory town of Jabiru has been powered by 100 per cent solar for the first time.

The milestone follows the completion of construction and as part of the final commissioning of the new Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station this week.

The new hybrid power station will secure reliable and affordable electricity for Jabiru residents and businesses.

It will also provide Jabiru with at least 50 per cent renewable energy over the long-term using a hybrid model of solar generation, battery and diesel power, and its operation will see the equivalent of 1600 cars being removed off the road each year.

This model meets the Territory Labor Government’s target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

The project is part of the Territory Labor Government’s $135.5 million dollar commitment to the Future of Jabiru and Kakadu package, and is the first project to be completed as part of the transition to a tourism and services hub.

The renewable hybrid project was constructed and is being operated by Energy Developments Pty Ltd (EDL), a global leader in remote renewables.

Construction of the Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station created around 300 jobs for local Territorians, including the Djurrubu Rangers who were employed to assist with land clearing, and cultural and environmental management.

Territorians have also been employed as part of the operational phase.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“Jabiru is an iconic Territory town – the gateway to Kakadu National Park and the West Arnhem Region. 

“We are investing millions into Jabiru to transform it into the tourism and services hub we know it is well positioned to be.

“This new Power Station has helped create more jobs for locals, and it is paving the way for better and more reliable services for Territorians and businesses in Jabiru.

 

Quotes from Minister for Renewables and Energy Eva Lawler: 

“Today’s announcement follows the successful transition of Jabiru residents’ power over to the new Power Station.

“Territorians deserve access to the very best services, no matter where they live, and we welcome this important step in beginning to transfer power to the new station. We are investing millions into Jabiru to transform it into the tourism and services hub we know it will one day be, and we need the infrastructure to get it there.

“The Territory Labor Government has set a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, and we are on track to meeting this.”

Quotes from EDL Chief Executive Officer James Harman:

“It has been a privilege to work with the Northern Territory Government and key local stakeholders to deliver this transformative project for Jabiru’s future.

“The Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station is now providing the town with stable, reliable energy that is at least 50% renewable over the long term, enabling the community to realise their vision of being an ecologically sustainable tourism and cultural hub for the region.”

Source: NT Government Newsroom

6 February 2022

The Territory Government is undertaking detailed investigative work into the baseline data of the Beetaloo Sub-Basin.

This week the Territory Government has released a tender for Environmental Health studies under the Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment (SREBA) program in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

There are four individual projects to be completed under this section of work, including:

• Population health - to set a baseline of the current health status of the population in the region;
• Air quality – to establish a baseline of air quality at selected sites in the region and develop a methodology for a monitoring program;
• Soils – a review and gap analysis of the studies undertaken through the Geological and Environmental Baseline Assessment program and Gas Industry Social and Environment Research Alliance program, the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) data holdings and any other relevant work, to establish a soil health baseline and develop a monitoring program.
• Water quality – a review and gap analysis of the water quality studies undertaken through the GBA program, GISERA and the Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment (SREBA) program Water Quality and Quantity studies

Environmental Health is one of the six study domains within the SREBA Framework that must be undertaken prior to the granting of any onshore petroleum production approvals, as per Recommendation 15.1 of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing.

The scoping study for the social, cultural and economic studies was recently completed and forms the SCE scope of works.

Consultations undertaken in this stage included more than 40 organisations participating in discussions. The next stages of the SCE study will incorporate on-country engagement.

Undertaking the SREBA is one of 135 recommendations from the final report of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory the Government has committed to completing.

To view the report visit https://hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au/sreba/study-domains/social,-cultural-and-economic and tender visit  https://tendersonline.nt.gov.au/

Quotes from the Minister for Environment, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Labor Government understands that a strong economy relies on a healthy environment and our unique environment needs a specific Territory approach.

“The release of the SREBA environmental health studies tender is a positive step forward in completing our SREBA. Territorians entrust this Government to fulfil their social obligations before allowing onshore processing. 

“The release of the SCE scope of works sets out the design and requirements for collecting the social, cultural and economic baseline data, and the release of the SREBA environmental health studies tender is a positive step forward in completing our SREBA.”

Eva Lawler

Minister for Environment

NTG Newsroom

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) has lodged a federal budget submission with recommendations for initiatives the government could implement to build a more resilient economy through energy security. 

APPEA  shares the key elements of their 2022-33 Federal Budget Submission which was submitted to Treasury in late January.

APPEA are urging the Federal Government to use the 2022-33 Budget to encourage continued investment in secure, cleaner energy.

APPEA is calling on the government to consider reform opportunities that encourage continued investment in Australia’s oil and gas industry, ensuring energy supply and enabling a net zero future. These reforms reflect the priorities of our members and outlined in the attached one-page summary, will:

• Attract investment for sustained job creation and economic security,
• Support a decarbonised economy and net zero 2050,
• Deliver increased energy supply and security, and
• Protect and preserve Australia’s environment while maximising benefits to the Australian economy.

The submission calls for economy-wide investment allowances for large projects and new technology initiatives cutting carbon emissions; the immediate deductibility of wages and salaries; and the removal of barriers to oil and gas project restructuring among other recommendations.

A copy of their one-page Federal Budget submission summary, can be found here

The full submission can be accessed at this link.

Should you have any questions or need more information, please contact:

Simon Staples

Director - Commercial

0403 152 157 

sstaples@appea.com.au

28 January 2022

The Territory Labor Government continues to strengthen its COVID-19 response and has today announced that the existing mandatory vaccination policy for workers in public facing roles will be extended to include the booster vaccination.  

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and serious illness during the current outbreak, the new CHO Direction outlines two deadlines for workers to receive their booster vaccination.

The first deadline is Friday 11 March, and this applies to workers in the following designated high-risk workplaces:

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities;
• Residential aged care facilities;
• Disability residential facilities;
• Correctional and detention facilities; and
• Renal hostels, family violence shelters, homeless shelters and sobering up shelters.

The second deadline is Friday 22 April, and this applies to the remainder of Territory workers who are required to be fully vaccinated.

As a reminder, you are required to be fully vaccinated if in the course of your work:

• You come into contact with vulnerable people;
• Your workplace poses a high risk of infection; or
• You perform work that is necessary for the operation or maintenance of essential infrastructure or logistics in the Territory.

To be eligible to work in the Territory, all workers covered by the above direction had to have received two vaccination doses by 24 December 2021. The 22 April deadline for the booster ensures everyone will become eligible for the booster before this deadline.

Booster vaccinations are available from NT Vaccination Centres, Aboriginal Health Clinics, Respiratory Clinics and participating GP Clinics and pharmacies.

For more information, and to book your vaccination, please visit: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/booking-your-covid-19-vaccine.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“We knew the Omicron wave would spread quickly and aggressively. We also knew that fully vaccinated Territorians would be the best protected – and they are. That is why we worked so hard to achieve such a high vaccination rate across the Territory.

“Two doses of the vaccine has given tens of thousands of Territorians excellent protection against severe illness – the booster shot makes sure that protection is stronger, and lasts longer.

“If you are eligible now, please don’t wait. Book in, boost up and give yourself and your loved ones the best shot at protection from serious illness.” 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

Michael Gunner
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) is pleased to provide details of the Stage 3 work programme in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, Northern Territory, Australia with its joint venture partner, Origin Energy B2 Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited.

Full details of the press release can be found on our main website homepage, under the Investor Centre section selecting Press Releases or clicking on the following link -> Stage 3

ASX-listed Hexagon Energy Materials has executed a memorandum of understanding with solar player FRV Australia to collaborate on a potential clean hydrogen hub at Middle Arm in the Northern Territory.

Middle Arm is some 30 kilometres southeast from Darwin near an inland waterway just past the port of Darwin. The Port of Darwin officially oversees the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. 

The MoU is non-binding; the proposed Middle Arm development is described by Hexagon as "a new potential North Western Australian hydrogen hub development". 

Hexagon notes that it collaborated with FRV in November last year within a consortium as part of an AusIndustry grant application; that application targeted a feasibility study for the h2 hub. 

Both companies are already developing respective hydrogen economy projects within the NT. Hexagon is close to completing a pre-feasibility study on the NT-based hydrogen-focussed Pedirka Project; scheduled for completion by late February. 

That study is analysing the viability of an ammonia production "through hydrocarbon-based hydrogen production with CCS" project. 

Hexagon notes its MoU with FRV "could provide Hexagon access to FRV Australia's mix of renewable energy products to supply the power required for Hexagon's proposed clean Ammonia production plant". 

A renewables-based power source would ultimately reduce carbon emissions on paper, Hexagon notes this would "[require] less CCS". 

FRV manages nine solar farms in Australia; it sells a combined 781MW of electricity into the National Electricity Market. 

"This MoU with FRV Australia is one of many important opportunities and collaborations, both in the NT and other locations, that will help to realise our objective in establishing the most practical pathway for Hexagon to achieve large scale, long term, commercial, clean hydrogen production," Hexagon managing director Merrill Gray said. 

Hexagon shares are down 1.4% to 7cps.

Source: https://www.energynewsbulletin.net/

• Fortescue Future Industries intends to supply green hydrogen and its derivatives including green ammonia to Covestro
• FFI will supply up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent per year, starting as early as 2024

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), a global green energy and green industry company based in Australia, and Covestro, a world-leading, Germany-based supplier of high-tech polymer materials, intend to enter into a long-term agreement for the supply of green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), FFI and Covestro will formalise an agreement under which FFI will supply Covestro with the equivalent of up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen (GH2) per year.

The arrangement will enable Covestro to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 900,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, by replacing grey hydrogen and its derivatives with GH2.

The deliveries are earmarked for three potential locations – Asia, North America and Europe – and could commence by 2024.

FFI and Covestro view the non-binding MoU as the first step towards a broader strategic partnership to accelerate the green energy transition, particularly in energy-intensive industry.

FFI Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO said, “This is a ground-breaking collaboration which reinforces the power of green hydrogen to accelerate the decarbonisation of some of the most energy-intensive industries around the world.

“FFI and Covestro share the belief that green hydrogen and green ammonia will play a crucial role in enabling companies to reach their climate targets and preventing runaway global warming.

“We look forward to working with Covestro to supply their green hydrogen needs, and collaborating with Germany to enable it to become the world leader in global decarbonisation, green hydrogen and ammonia,” Dr Forrest said.

Dr Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro said, “We are delighted that FFI shares our circular economy vision and is willing to take courageous steps to foster the urgently needed market ramp-up for green hydrogen.

“Our collaboration with FFI underlines our ambition to pioneer the transition towards a circular economy and climate-neutral production. Green hydrogen and its derivatives play a key role for the chemical industry, both as an alternative feedstock and a source of clean energy.

“The transition towards green hydrogen and its derivatives will be an important step forward in our efforts to offer more sustainable products that also reduce the carbon footprint of our customer industries,” Dr Steilemann concluded.

FFI CEO Julie Shuttleworth AM said, “Covestro is a global leader in its field with its materials used in nearly every area of modern life, including in the automotive, construction and electronics industries.

“This collaboration reinforces that green hydrogen is a practical, implementable solution for a range of difficult-to-decarbonise industries,” Ms Shuttleworth said.

Green hydrogen is made from renewable energy, producing zero pollution – its only by-product is steam. FFI’s ambition is to grow its green hydrogen production to 15 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030, accelerating to 50 million tonnes per year in the next decade thereafter.

Covestro uses hydrogen and its derivatives as feedstock in the production of high-performance polymers. As part of a broader circular economy strategy, Covestro committed itself to completely transition towards the use of fossil-free alternative raw materials and renewable energies. The partnership with FFI is an important milestone towards this goal.

Source: https://ffi.com.au/news

The company told the market today it has brought in Darwin based EcOz Environmental Services to prepare the referral submission for lodgement with the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority. 

GEV said environmental permitting would be an initial focus in the new year, given it would determine the overall timing of the project. 

It announced the hydrogen export project on the Tiwi Islands off the coast of Darwin in October. 

The project will have an initial capacity of 500MW of installed solar to power electrolysers, before expanding as the regional market grows and production and supply chain costs fall.

The company is targeting an eventual production rate of around 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum. 

GEV wants to use the project as a commercial demonstration of its compressed hydrogen transport ship design that is currently in development. 

The company emphasised today that is aiming to keep the environmental footprint of the project to a minimum, using existing plantation land to site the proposed solar development and the hydrogen production, compression and loading facilities would be built on an existing industrial precinct.

GEV announced it has also hired consulting firms ILF and Jacobs to prepare engineering studies supporting the referral submission, covering the key areas of solar generation, power transmission and water transmission. 

The two biggest impacts flagged so far will be the brine discharge from the proposed desalination plant, and the land clearing for the 30km transmission line corridor. 

The company expects to lodge the submission to the NT EPA in the first half of this year.

"The referral submission is an important step forward as the environmental process is likely to drive the project schedule," GEV executive director and chief development officer Garry Triglavcanin said. 

"There are a number of key environmental studies that can only be conducted during the current wet-season." 

GEV said it is working closely with the Tiwi Land Council, Nunupi Landowners and the Tiwi Plantation Corporation for land access requirements to support the project. 

The NT government has also appointed a case manager to the Tiwi Hydrogen Project to support GEV's interaction with relevant government agencies. 

The company expects to make further appointments in the March and June quarters to help the initial phase of the project reach FID by mid-2023. 

It will also look at beginning to market the green hydrogen project to potential offtake partners in Singapore, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. 

GEV shares are up 4.7% at 11c. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

7 January 2022

Joint media release with the Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP

The Morrison Government is growing Australia’s clean hydrogen export industry through a new initiative aimed at attracting overseas investment into hydrogen supply chains originating in Australia.

The $150 million Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program (ACHTP) will support Australian-based hydrogen supply chain projects that secure overseas public or private sector investment.

The first round of the Program will focus on the export of clean hydrogen to Japan under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $150 million program would help to deliver on Australia’s commitment to reducing emissions by working with other countries to get the cost of clean energy technologies down.

“It is critical that we work closely with our international partners such as Japan to deliver on Australia’s low emissions objectives,” the Prime Minister said. 

“Clean hydrogen is central to both Australia’s and Japan’s plans to achieve net zero emissions while growing our economies and jobs.”

The ACHTP will support projects to develop export supply chains and commercialise production of clean hydrogen and derivative clean hydrogen-based compounds, such as clean ammonia. 

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia is taking action to create new economic and employment opportunities on the pathway to net-zero emissions. 

“Establishing clean hydrogen supply chains will facilitate investment into Australia and will create jobs for Australians, many in our regional areas,” Minister Taylor said. 

“Australia is a world leader in clean energy and our high quality resources have long been in strong demand from our international partners. The Morrison Government is positioning Australia to become the international clean hydrogen supplier of choice and we are investing to make this reality.

“Our Government is providing an innovative and economically viable solution to producing clean hydrogen not only for Australia, but also for our international partners.”

Clean hydrogen is one of the priority technologies in the Government’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan and Technology Investment Roadmap.

The Program will be funded over five years from the $565.8 million committed for low emissions technology international partnerships in the 2021-22 Budget. 

Clean hydrogen could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure.

Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could also generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.

Source:

The Hon Angus Taylor MP

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction

23 December 2021

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, has welcomed today’s Federal Court decision to reject a legal challenge that would have jeopardised a major resources project in the Northern Territory.

“This is a common sense decision that will allow grants for the development of the Beetaloo Basin to proceed, which has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to the Northern Territory,” Minister Pitt said.

“The Instrument under which the grant program was written and the Approval Decision to award grants to Imperial Oil and Gas were both valid and we welcome that decision so that we can move forward with the program.

“The Beetaloo Basin has enormous potential to deliver the gas Australia needs for the future.

“Our resources and energy sector are vitally important to the Australian economy and are forecast to generate a record $379 billion this financial year.

“The taxes and royalties that are generated from the resources sector allow state and federal governments to provide the health, education and other essential services Australians rely on."

Source: 

The Hon Keith Pitt MP

Minister for Resources and Water