Middle Arm hydrogen hub to create 2000 jobs, boost Territory economy

A hydrogen hub at the Middle Arm precinct will bring the NT one step closer to its net zero target, all while creating more jobs for Territorians.

Concept for the Middle Arm hydrogen hub by Total Eren.

The Territory is one step closer to leading with green energy and creating thousands of jobs thanks to one of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct’s fantastic five proponents.

Global energy producer Total Eren started its hydrogen hub project in August last year and launched the next phase of its ecological studies on Wednesday.

They will meet with project partners and the Territory government this week.

Managing director Kam Ho said the permitting process was taken “very seriously” and would continue for another 18 months before construction commences.

Mr Ho said working in the same area as other sustainability projects was incredibly beneficial thanks to the diversity the Middle Arm precinct would offer.

“Australia is one of the highest CO2 emitters globally per capita,” Mr Ho said.

“The journey to decarbonise and the need to do so in a speedy manner requires multiple technologies to be deployed at the same time – hydrogen plays a pivotal role.”

Total Eren managing director Kam Ho and Major Projects Minister Natasha Fyles announced the next stage of the Middle Arm hydrogen hub.

Mr Ho said hydrogen power was gaining traction across the world in recent years, with “gigawatt-scale projects” in the US and Europe to lead by example.

“We’re very excited that this project will be a transformative project for Australia,” Mr Ho said.

“We’ve seen a number of pilot projects to develop the local expertise here, and for us in Australia, we’re working with key partners of ours to ensure that we can demonstrate this technology within the Middle Arm precinct and to ensure that we can deliver this project successfully.”

Mr Ho said the “green hydrogen” would be generated using solar and would not contribute to CO2 emissions.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the hydrogen hub project would create about 2000 jobs. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Decarbonisation aside, Major Projects Minister Natasha Fyles said the project would boost the Territory’s economy.

Ms Fyles said about 2000 jobs would be created during construction, and 175 would be ongoing during its operation.

“With our abundant solar resources and our strategic location to support exports into the Indo-Pacific, the production of green hydrogen is a key opportunity for the Territory to address the growing demand for this green energy globally,” she said.

“We’re growing our economy while also transitioning to net zero emissions, and Middle Arm will play a huge part in that transition.

“This is what responsibly decarbonising and diversifying our economy looks like.”