Massive wind-solar project in Western Australia to target hydrogen and e-fuels markets

Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) is an ultra-scale hydrogen and e-fuels project set for constructon in remote Western Australia. The multi-stage project eventually aims to generate up to 3.5 Mtpa of zero-carbon hydrogen and e-fuels.

WGEH has attained ‘major project status’ in Australia. With state and federal support, the wind-solar-electrolysis project is currently in detailed planning. It has a unique investment structure. The Traditional Owners of the WGEH project site are the Mirning people. Mirning Green Energy Ltd holds a 10% shareholding in the project. 

‘This is an under-developed part of Australia, and the project has great opportunities for regional development and generational uplift,’ says Dr Raymond Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, WGEH. ‘The project combines investment from experienced international developers and investors, and partnership with First Nations Australians.’ 

A vast and near-deserted location

WGEH is a giant, multi-stage renewable energy project. It will be built primarily on tablelands in a sparsely populated stretch of southeastern Western Australia. 

According to executives, site selection followed an extensive global review of suitable meteorological bands in the northern and southern hemispheres. 

‘Our investors looked around the world for locations that optimised wind and solar potential,’ says Macdonald. ‘The southern areas of Western Australia are ideal. WGEH has great solar resources. It has good diurnal winds. And it combines remoteness with access to road and rail, and to the ocean for export opportunities.’

Project planning and approvals began in 2019. Stage 1 consists of around 8 GW of combined wind and solar assets across 1,900 km2 near the township of Eucla. It envisages approximately 330 kilo-tonnes per annum (ktpa) of green hydrogen. This will be produced at dispersed points across the site using a patented nodal and hydrogen storage technology called P2H2™.

‘The green hydrogen will be processed into a range of e-fuels,’ says Macdonald. ‘These include green ammonia and eSAF [sustainable aviation fuel]. The fuels will be used domestically and shipped overseas.’  

The project will include an 80 GL desalination plant and a marine loading/offloading facility. The desalination plant will draw water from the Southern Ocean for the electrolysers. 

Surplus fresh water will be available for a range of potential local uses, including horticulture and aquaculture. Fresh water from the plant will also supplement pastoral lease water supplies. 

Unique investor mix

The WGEH project combines equity investment from global developers and Traditional Landowners. 

The 2 largest shareholders are Intercontinental Energy and CWP Global. Founded in 2014, Intercontinental Energy is a global renewable energy company that specialises in large-scale green hydrogen production. CWP Global developed one of Europe’s largest onshore wind farms, at Fantanele-Cogealac in Romania.

First Nations Australians are also investors. Mining Green Energy Limited is a commercial subsidiary of the body that represents the Mirning people. The company has a 10% equity stake in WGEH and a permanent seat on its board. 

Exporting clean energy to Asia

The project is primarily designed to export clean energy to Asia.  

In June 2023, WGEH and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a memorandum of understanding. This began negotiations for a joint Collaboration Agreement (PDF: 335 KB). The agreement sets out KEPCO’s potential involvement in further studies and the potential for involvement by Korean companies. 

‘This is a flagship project,’ says Joel Smouha, Senior Adviser, Hydrogen, Austrade. ‘It has the capacity to bring European and Asian expertise together in a globally significant clean-hydrogen project. There will be great opportunities for offtake agreements.’

Timely assistance on the regulatory journey

WGEH executives report positive engagement from all levels of government in Australia. This includes gaining “lead agency status” from the Western Australian Government. 

‘The support from state government has been particularly strong,’ says Macdonald. ‘This includes interactions with the Premier’s office, a range of key agencies such as Lands and Transport, and the Environmental Protection Authority.’ 

Macdonald says that at the federal level, the Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA) has been, particularly helpful. He expects that assistance to continue.

‘We have been awarded “major project status” by the Commonwealth Government,’ he says. ‘This is timely. It means coordination across key government agencies as we progress the project.

‘The WGEH project aligns with both the state and Commonwealth hydrogen strategies. Our prospects have been bolstered by the Australian Government’s A$23 billion “Future Made in Australia initiative”.’

Download the Western Green Energy Hub case study (PDF: 1.9MB).

Working with Austrade

Austrade investment teams have supported WGEH directors along their investment path. 

‘Austrade has been particularly helpful on overseas trips,’ says Macdonald. ‘They provided one-on-one support during our first outreach to Korea. This included assisting with hydrogen-related contacts.’

Austrade also led interactions with Korean and Japanese investors who wanted to learn about working with Traditional Owners. Investors wanted to understand Australian Native Titles and Indigenous Land Use Agreements. 

‘This was particularly helpful because potential investors in Korea and Japan had limited background knowledge of Australian Native Title and the interrelated project requirements,’ says Macdonald. 

‘Today, Austrade supports interactions wherever we go,’ he adds. ‘The Austrade office is always our first port of call when we land in international markets.’ 

Australia at the World Hydrogen Summit

Meet the Australian hydrogen suppliers exhibiting at World Hydrogen Summit, 20–22 May 2025, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Find us at the Australia Stand E10, Hall 2.