Fortescue opens Gladstone electrolyser facility

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has opened its electrolyser facility in Queensland which is one of the first in the world to house an automated assembly line.

The 15,000m² manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce over 2GW of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks per year.

Fortescue Energy chief executive Mark Hutchinson says the facility establishes the company as an original equipment manufacturer.

“The process of splitting hydrogen and oxygen isn’t new – but the innovative ways the world is looking to use green hydrogen to decarbonise are, and that means demand for green hydrogen and for the electrolysers to produce it is growing rapidly,” he said.

“The facility positions Fortescue and Gladstone as a large-scale producer of what will be an increasingly sought-after commodity in the global shift to green energy.

“We’re strategically focussed on building out our energy business. Not only are we developing a pipeline of green energy project, we’re also now designing and manufacturing the specialised equipment and technology that will underpin our green hydrogen projects and that of others.”

The site was supported by the Queensland Government and included the supply of an electrical sub-station, road network, local scheme water connection, communications and the allocation of land.

Furthermore, $44m was contributed by the Australian Government from the collaboration scheme of the modern manufacturing initiative.

The electrolyser facility marks the first stage of a green energy manufacturing centre that Fortescue is developing. The next phase will include a hydrogen system testing facility and Fortescue’s PEM50 green hydrogen project.

“We know that technology in this space moves very quickly so as well as producing electrolysers today, this facility also provides an amazing environment for our team to learn and then leverage that experience to drive innovation and develop the solutions of tomorrow,” Mr Hutchinson said.