The federal government has blocked one of the country’s flagship green energy export projects due to a “clearly unacceptable” impact on the environment, triggering fresh accusations it is obstructing the transition to clean energy.

The proposed $53 billion Asian Renewable Energy Hub planned in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia was deemed harmful to Ramsar wetlands and migratory birds under a ruling by federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley that was promptly slammed by green energy advocates.