A proposal for a new hydrogen power station near Kununurra has been backed by the State Government, which today announced $1.7 million to fund renewable energy studies across WA.

“Sustainable” energy producer Energy Developments Limited will receive $243,000 from the the McGowan Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund to explore the integration of renewable hydrogen production with isolated power stations in the Kimberley and Goldfields-Esperance.

The proposal includes a hydrogen production facility near Kununurra using “existing hydro generation.” Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to generate electricity.

A privately owned hydro-electric power generation station currently operates at the main Ord River Dam on Lake Argyle, providing electricity to the Argyle Diamond Mine and the towns of Kununurra and Wyndham.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the projects being investigated have the potential to create new jobs, skills and training opportunities, particularly in regional WA.

“Western Australia needs to explore how we can produce, use and provide energy to our international partners through clean and reliable sources - renewable energy via hydrogen provides a means to do this,” said.

“These feasibility studies will facilitate significant private sector investment and leverage financial support for a job-creating renewable hydrogen industry in WA.

“We received 19 feasibility study applications of which seven have been selected, confirming there is strong interest in developing a renewable hydrogen industry in WA.”

The seven other proposals include a stand-alone power system for an indigenous community in the Pilbara using 100 per cent renewable energy and examining the compatibility of the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas transmission pipeline with blended hydrogen and looking at the integration of renewable hydrogen with isolated power stations.

For more details, pick up the January 16 edition of The Kimberley Echo.