Whyalla hydrogen hopes get sustainable fuel boost

The construction of a $500 million renewable hydrogen production plant and power station at the industrial city of Whyalla in South Australia has attracted a plan for the development of a low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel production facility.

Synthetic fuel producer Zero Petroleum has embarked on a feasibility study for a commercial-scale production plant – Plant Zero.SA – which follows the opening of the company’s Plant Zero.1 in the United Kingdom.

The feasibility study includes collaboration with an aviation industry consortium led by Adelaide Airport Limited and Qantas, with the South Australian government signing a Letter of Intent to support the study in a facilitating role.

The announcement follows a signing of an MoU between Zero and the state earlier this year to explore investment opportunities in the state, supported by Invest SA which toured Plant Zero.1 in the UK in May.

The six-month feasibility project will evaluate the technical, economic and environmental viability of a facility capable of producing up to 10 million litres of synthetic aviation fuel, gasoline and diesel annually.

Invest SA said: “The project has the potential to create up to 150 full-time-equivalent jobs during the construction phase, spanning engineering, technical and trade roles, with 25 to 30 ongoing operational positions.

“This initiative would support the aviation industry’s global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and reinforce South Australia’s efforts as a global leader in the low-carbon transition while driving innovation and economic growth in sustainable industries.”

Further reading:
Hydrogen power plant gets federal approval

Picture: SA Department of State Development