Thiess first customer for Toyota hydrogen fuel cell generator, to use in NSW mining operations

Thiess will be the first customer to take delivery of Toyota’s locally assembled EODev GEH2® hydrogen fuel cell stationary power generator.

The 110kVA GEH2® generator was developed through partnership between Toyota Motor Europe and French firm EODev using Toyota fuel cell technology, the same one that powers the Mirai FCEV.

Toyota aims to produce 28 GEH2® generators at its $3.27m Altona facility in Victoria this year – and up to 100 units over the next three years – for its mining, construction and events customers in Australia and New Zealand.

Toyota Australia president and chief executive Matthew Callachor says this is a proud moment for the company.

“This is a great day for us at Toyota and all of our like-minded partners that have brought this important project to fruition as we aim to help drive towards a more sustainable future,” he said.

“For Toyota, it’s part of our multi-pathway approach to decarbonisation by providing Australian customers with a range of technologies and mobility solutions, including power generation, that help reduce carbon emissions.

“We are firmly committed to growing, and investing in, the hydrogen economy here in Australia and I’m particularly pleased that Thiess is set to become our first customer for this innovative hydrogen fuel cell generator.

“Toyota has long-standing shared history with Thiess that started when Sir Leslie Thiess imported the very first LandCruisers into Australia to work on the Snowy Hydro Scheme in 1958.

“Thiess then gained the Queensland and other state distribution rights from our parent company in Japan and was instrumental in building our brand here, particularly in rural and regional Australia.

“Now, we are working together again in a new era as we collectively aim to build a better future for all Australians.”

Thiess group executive for assets, autonomy and digital Ramesh Liyanage says Thiess is planning to use the generator in its mining operations in NSW and is looking to add a second unit in the future as part of its own decarbonisation program.

“This year, as Thiess celebrates 90 years of operations – we are well-progressed in our journey to reduce carbon emissions from our operations, and we are determined to make a meaningful contribution towards decarbonising the world’s resources sector,” he said.

“We’re pleased at the prospect of being the first customer to take the locally-assembled hydrogen fuel cell generator unit and are excited to be partnering with Toyota once again, this time on cutting-edge technology that has the power to shape a more sustainable future for the world.”

The GEH2® power generator can also be used to provide emergency backup power for hospitals, commercial buildings and anywhere where stable power supply is required.

The GEH2® power generator has been in production since 2021 at EODev’s manufacturing facility in France and is currently sold across several European markets, in North America, in the Middle East, and in Australia.

In October 2023, Toyota Australia announced it was partnering with EODev to assemble the generators at Altona and make them available through its local retail partner Blue Diamond Machinery (BDM).

It will also export units to New Zealand with Toyota New Zealand acting as the distributor in that market.