CIC’s plan for East Arm hydrogen plant

A new business has opened its first Australian office in Darwin and is looking to develop a production plant at East Arm. Read what’s planned.

A green energy company has opened its first Australian office in Darwin as it tries to grow an Australian supply chain to manufacture hydrogen modules for the local market.

Climate Impact Corporation opened the new office on Harry Chan Avenue last month and hopes Darwin will help it open doors to the rest of Australia.

Company chairman and co-founder David Green said the Darwin office reflected CIC’s commitment to deliver its modular hydrogen technology and scalable renewable hydrogen solutions to the NT and Australia.

He said the company would work with the NT Government for a site to develop the electrolysers in partnership with technology leaders including JA Solar and Sungrow Hydrogen. East Arm is shaping as the plant’s likely venue.

Climate Impact Corporation’ (CIC) David Green, right, with Solomon MP Luke Gosling and Mining Minister Mark Monaghan.

“We’ve identified land and we’re now in the process of working with NT Government on the approvals process,” Mr Green said.

“Initially we will import the first number of units, then we will set up a testing and assembly facility in Darwin and progressively move production capacity on shore with the electrolysers.”

With an estimated cost of about $50m, if the plant goes ahead he forecasts there will be in excess of 150 people employed during the construction phase and another 200 during production.

Mr Green said the estimated $50m plant would require about 15,000sq m and would be an important addition to advanced manufacturing in the Territory.

CIC has developed a unique approach to renewable hydrogen development, creating hydrogen modules that can be deployed at scale to create carbon-free hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives.

Compared to traditional renewable hydrogen production, which typically sources vast quantities of water from piped water sources and uses grid electricity, CIC’s modular hydrogen units are designed to operate entirely off-grid.

Each module contains solar panels, atmospheric water generators, and electrolysers to produce

hydrogen as an individual unit.

Mr Green said this approach had significant advantages in places like the Northern Territory, as the use of atmospheric water allows hydrogen to be produced almost anywhere where solar radiation is abundant, without relying on groundwater or grid electricity.

“Modular hydrogen is a game-changer for producing reliable, renewable fuels in Australia and across the world at an affordable price,” Mr Green said.

“By relying on the sun and atmospheric water, remote and drier landscapes can produce renewable fuels without emitting carbon or draining groundwater stores.

“It’s an approach that’s perfect for places like the Northern Territory, which is one of the reasons why we’re seeking to manufacture these modules here in Australia for use locally and for global export.”