ATCO Australia and BOC have been named as preferred partners to deliver the South Australian Government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

The Malinauskas Government today announced a consortium comprising ATCO Australia and BOC as the preferred hydrogen delivery partners to deliver its Hydrogen Jobs Plan, featuring the world’s biggest hydrogen production facility, power plant and storage at Whyalla in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

ATCO Australia CEO John Ivulich said ATCO had the global experience and local presence to help deliver the world leading project for the South Australian Government.

“ATCO is proud to be selected as a consortium partner for the design of the world’s biggest hydrogen plant that will unlock opportunities and prosperity for generations.

“We have a shared purpose with the South Australian Government to build better communities and this project will be a game changer for Whyalla, South Australia and for Australia.

“ATCO is dedicated to the energy transition across the globe and our combined expertise at energy, partnering and delivery makes this project a significant milestone in our history.”

The ATCO Australia and BOC consortium has committed to an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement with the State Government, which will see the consortium undertake detailed project and engineering design, procurement of critical equipment, finalise contracting arrangements, and cost estimations.

The South Australian Hydrogen Jobs Plan project includes a 250 MW Hydrogen production facility, a 200 MW Hydrogen-fuelled electricity generation facility and Hydrogen storage.

Head of BOC Theo Martin said solutions for the transition to a low-carbon economy are gaining momentum.

“We welcome the opportunity to contribute our extensive hydrogen expertise and technology to milestone projects such as the hydrogen production facility and power plant in Whyalla,” Mr Martin said.

“We are proud to expand our contribution to the region and look forward to progressing work with the South Australian Government, stakeholders and the local community.”

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas said the project was a world-leading opportunity for South Australia, that has the potential to rival Victoria’s gold rush, the coal boom in Queensland, or Western Australia’s development of iron ore and gas.

“We have all the things the world will need to decarbonise – abundant copper and magnetite, the world’s best coincident wind and solar resources, world-leading renewable energy penetration and soon, the ability to harness this abundant clean energy in the form of hydrogen,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We can use this clean hydrogen to firm our electricity grid, but more than that, we can use it to help reindustrialise the Upper Spencer Gulf, creating thousands of jobs in the process.”

South Australian Minister for Energy, Tom Koutsantonis said for two decades South Australia has shone bright in the race to 100% net zero, thanks in part to our exceptional sun and wind resources to generate renewable power.

“The Hydrogen Power Plant in Whyalla continues this momentum, and our world leadership using hydrogen for renewable energy storage, and enabling us to ship the sun beyond our shores,” Mr Koutsantonis said.