The premium fuel retailer has begun pre-project planning and focusing on technical requirements
The premium fuel retailer has begun pre-project planning and focusing on technical requirements
Fuel company bp has reached a milestone, entering front-end engineering and design (FEED) on its H2Kwinana project.
With plans to produce renewable hydrogen at its Kwinana Energy Hub in Western Australia, the project aims to install 100MW of electrolyser capacity at the site, with the potential to expand to a total of 1.5GW production in subsequent phases.
Members of bp welcomed climate change and energy minister Chris Bowento Kwinana to mark the milestone, with the project supported by $70 million from the federal government’s Regional Hydrogen Hubs Program.
President of bp Australia Frédéric Baudry says the company is glad the government is supporting them in this.
“Going into FEED, with the support and belief of the state and federal governments, is a major milestone for this project,” Baudry says.
“We are strengthening the energy system of today while building the energy system of tomorrow, leveraging existing infrastructure and strengthening our unique relationships with customers.
“We are all-in in Australia, with major investment plans in WA and specifically in the Kwinana area.
The company has set an ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero.
“H2K at Kwinana is bp’s strategy in action, leading from the front in decarbonisation in the region and providing energy security through diversity,” he says.
H2Kwinana also involves the installation of hydrogen storage, compression and truck loading facilities and upgrades to bp’s existing on-site hydrogen pipeline system.
Vice president of hydrogen at bp Lucy Nation says using and repurposing existing systems is imperative.
“Part of bp’s strategy is leaning into the energy transition through our five transition growth engines: biofuels, mobility and convenience, EV charging, renewable power and hydrogen,” Nation says.
“The Kwinana Energy Hub shows this strategy in action. We are repurposing existing process units, tanks, pipelines and utilities from the former refinery as the starting point for Kwinana Renewable Fuels and H2Kwinana.
“Both of these projects will allow us to supply ourselves and our customers with products that allow them to meet their own emissions targets while also contributing to Australia’s decarbonisation targets.”
A feasibility study supported by the WA government demonstrates the project’s opportunity to support the decarbonisation of the state’s heavy industry sector.
Globally, bp is proceeding with the procurement of long lead items, including electrolysers, for its projects, including H2Kwinana.
Subject to approvals and public policy and business decisions, production from H2Kwinana is anticipated from 2026.