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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1299 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 November 2020 by Hon Ken Baston

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

ASIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB

1299. Hon KEN BASTON to the minister representing the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade:

I refer to the ABC report titled ''World's largest renewable energy project � ditches electricity in favour of ammonia exports'', which was published online on 10 November.

(1) When did the Western Australian government become aware that the project proposal was changing so significantly?

(2) Has the minister or any other member of the government met with representatives of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub project or InterContinental Energy to discuss the new proposal?

(3) If yes to (2), on what dates and who was present?

(4) Can the minister advise whether they have provided any form of in-principle or conditional support for the project's pivot to ammonium production?

Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:

I thank the member for the question.

(1)–(4) We are in a time when energy technology is rapidly changing and fortunately the McGowan government is alive to these changes and is creating policies that respond to the new technologies. I first became aware of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub project in October 2017, when it presented its concept to export renewable energy by way of moving electrons via subsea cable to Indonesia; we used to call it the ''Kuta cable''. After we embarked on developing our hydrogen strategy, we again met with Asian Renewable Energy Hub in 2018, when it advised that it was now considering exporting renewable energy by way of hydrogen or ammonia.

The Asian Renewable Energy Hub was granted lead agency status in July 2018. Since then, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, through the hydrogen unit, has been working closely with the project proponents as they refine their project scope. The proponents formally advised the department of the change in project scope in October 2019, following feasibility studies conducted by the proponent during 2018–19 on the viability of the emerging green hydrogen/ammonia market. I met with representatives of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub on three occasions during the course of 2019 and it kept us apprised of project developments to discuss the project and its changes and expansion. I understand that Mr Brendan Hammond took on a role with AREH in April 2020, and was present in that role at a subsequent meeting we had with the company and its partners. Prior to that, he attended some meetings in his role as chair of the Pilbara Development Commission.

Yes, of course we support the pivot, as it is entirely aligned with our vision for renewable hydrogen. This project is a fantastic opportunity for the Pilbara and, in fact, the state. Not only is the proposed 26-gigawatt second stage expected to deliver around 5 000 construction jobs and 3 000 ongoing operational jobs, but also the proponents are planning to make three gigawatts of energy available cheaply to Pilbara users, therefore fundamentally transforming the energy sector in the state and potentially unlocking significant local manufacturing opportunities.