Low cost renewable energy
for local and export markets
The Asian Renewable Energy Hub will generate 11,000+ MW of renewable energy in Western Australia. Up to 3,000 MW will be dedicated to large energy users in the Pilbara region, which could include new and expanded mines and downstream mineral processing. The bulk of the power will enable large scale production of green hydrogen products for domestic and export markets.
From a 14,000-square kilometre initial land package, 7,000 square kilometres of land in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia was selected to accommodate at least 7,500+ MW of wind turbines and 3,500+ MW of solar photovoltaic panels. Outstanding wind and solar resource and large project scale will result in competitively priced renewable energy with a high capacity factor.
Project development commenced in 2014 with a study of the entire north-west coast of Western Australia. Project land has been secured through the WA Department of Lands, the Traditional Owners are actively engaged and supportive, onshore and offshore development studies are underway and a consortium of global renewable energy leaders has been assembled. The West Australian Government acknowledged the project’s potential and progress with Lead Agency Status in July 2018.
Download Press Release October 2018
Project Benefits
The Asian Renewable Energy Hub will create benefits for a wide range of stakeholders:
- Supply chains to manufacture and assemble equipment associated with the wind and solar generation and hydrogen production equipment are anticipated to be established in Western Australia for the project. This will create skilled high-tech jobs, will result in technology and knowledge transfer, and will diversify the Western Australian economy.
- The project will generate cheap clean energy for the Pilbara region, which will be a catalyst for new economic activity, diversification and growth. Many high value jobs will be created for the 10 year construction period and the 50+ year operations and maintenance period. There are particular opportunities for the Traditional Owners, the Nyangumarta people, to develop new skills, jobs and revenue, which will provide comprehensive and enduring community benefits.
- The project will generate very large volumes of cheap, clean renewable energy, which is ideal for the large scale production of green hydrogen, which will find markets both in Australia and overseas. Japan and Korea in particular have expressed strong ambitions for adopting clean hydrogen in coming years, to help decarbonise their economies and to maintain energy security.
Location
The Asian Renewable Energy Hub encompasses 7,000 square kilometres of land in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is on the traditional lands of the Nyangumarta people, who have been closely engaged in the project since its inception, and have actively participated in site ecological studies. The project provides enormous job, skills, revenue and other opportunities for the Traditional Owners, all enabled by renewable energy.
Public Environmental Review
The Environmental Review Document for the Asian Renewable Energy Hub is available for public review for a 6 week period, between 13th May 2019 and 24th June 2019.
The ERD documents can be downloaded from the links below:
Environmental Review Document
Appendix 1: CEMP
Appendix 2: Benthic Communities and Habitat Survey
Appendix 3: Marine Cable Route Environmental Impact Assessment
Appendix 4: HVDC Cable Specifications
Appendix 5: Flora and Vegetation
Appendix 6: Fire Strategy
Appendix 7: Terrestrial Fauna Desktop Review and Level 2 Survey
Appendix 8: Shorebirds and Waterbirds
Appendix 9: Visual Impact Photomontages
Appendix 10: Noise Modelling
Timeline
Development began after comprehensive site search
2014
Engagement with Nyangumarta people commenced
2015
Development license signed with WA Government
2016
EIA referral documents submitted
2017
Major Project Status granted by WA Government
2018
Financial Investment Decision
2022/3
Construction to commence
2023/4
First generation
2025/6