An overview of the GEGHA project adjacent to the Wathagar cotton gin south-west of Moree.

A GREEN hydrogen and ammonia plant in Moree has been given the green light by the New South Wales Government, and is expected to play a part in reducing emissions for growers in the region.

The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project will be one of the first large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities in NSW.

Its development application was granted consent on February 23, and the project is expected to create at least 60 jobs during construction, and 10 permanent positions once the facility is up and running.

The GEHGA project is a joint venture between Hiringa Energy and Sundown Pastoral Company, and is expected to cost more than $70 million.

It is expected to produce enough green hydrogen to annually make 4500 tonnes of ammonia for use as fuel and fertiliser, primarily to supply Sundown’s Keytah cotton farm, currently reliant on diesel and fertiliser made from fossil fuel.

GEHGA product surplus to Sundown’s requirements will be available to supply other nearby farming operations keen to decarbonise their activities.

The NSW Government is investing $45.2M in this project to increase the production and availability of green hydrogen across the state.

Most of this funding was awarded to the project in August 2023, with an additional $9.4M announced last month to expand production volumes at the site as part of the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative.

NSW Minister for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said this facility will help establish a commercial-scale green hydrogen and ammonia supply chain in northern NSW.

“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,” Ms Sharpe said.

“NSW is building the technology to cut emissions, support our industries and create new jobs of the future.”

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the innovation will help produce sustainable cotton and decarbonise farming operations.

“This is a great example of how the oldest industry in the world – agriculture – is to this day continuing to find ways to innovate,” Ms Moriarty said.

“This is a great project that will see local farms able to replace fossil fuels with renewables supporting a more sustainable future in NSW.”

If the GEGHA project proves successful, Hiringa Energy may expand the concept into other agricultural regions.

Hiringa’s feasibility study is under way to establish at least two larger green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing facilities as the next step along this path, one at the Moree Special Activation Precinct (SAP), and the other in southern NSW’s Riverina.

Source: NSW Government, Hiringa Energy