Western Australia's vast Nullarbor Plain is poised for a dramatic transformation. Ambitious plans, submitted this month to the state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), propose the construction of a Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH), a colossal renewable energy project encompassing 3,000 wind turbines and 60 million solar modules. This infrastructure would power the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia for export, representing a significant leap towards a greener global energy future. The scale of the undertaking is breathtaking: a new town, designed to accommodate approximately 8,000 workers, is envisioned, featuring electric transport and sustainable agricultural practices within greenhouses.
The project's sheer ambition has understandably generated considerable media attention. However, the feasibility of such a massive undertaking remains a key question. With a final investment decision still five years off, opinions vary on its prospects. Professor Peter Newman, a sustainability expert at Curtin University, expresses cautious optimism. While acknowledging the proliferation of similarly ambitious "green hub" proposals, many of which he considers unrealistic, he highlights the WGEH's strong potential. He points to the project's strategic combination of ample land, favourable wind and solar resources, and the potential for nearby export facilities as rare and valuable assets.
Further bolstering the project's credibility, according to Professor Bill Grace, an adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia's Australian Urban Design Research Centre, significant financial resources have already been invested in the planning phase. He estimates that the EPA submission alone likely cost several million pounds, underlining the developers' commitment. The project's scope, he notes, is immense, encompassing around 20 major individual projects.
However, the project's success hinges on the support of the Mirning traditional owners, whose land the hub would occupy. The Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation (MTLAC) is currently consulting its community, with a decision expected within the next few years. Their consent is paramount for the project to proceed.
Environmental concerns are central to the debate. While the developers claim the WGEH could eventually match Australia's national renewable energy production, offsetting 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, significant environmental concerns exist. The WA Greens, while supportive of renewable energy in principle, express reservations, highlighting the Nullarbor's unique natural environment. Scientists and cave specialists emphasise the region's globally significant karst cave systems, nominated for World Heritage status in 1992, and raise concerns about the potential impact of the project, despite proposed mitigation measures. The WA EPA has initiated a public environmental review.
The local community's perspective is equally vital. Laurene Bonza, President of Dundas Shire, whose vast local government area would encompass much of the project, describes the scale as "a bit alarming." She questions the environmental impact of clearing 27,000 hectares of native vegetation, along with the partial clearing of a further 77,000 hectares. She raises additional concerns about the influx of workers impacting the region's current peaceful and isolated character and the logistical challenges of supporting such a massive construction project in a remote area.
Furthermore, the economic viability of the WGEH remains uncertain. Professor Grace points out significant challenges related to the high anticipated cost and the inherent volatility of the green hydrogen market. Building the necessary marine offloading facility and desalination plant represent major undertakings in themselves.
The Western Australian government, while expressing commitment to renewable energy development, faces competing priorities. The government's Renewable Hydrogen Strategy targets approval of a large-scale green hydrogen project by the end of 2028. However, global competition for similar investments poses a significant hurdle.
Despite the considerable challenges, Professor Newman remains optimistic, emphasising the accelerating global transition to a net-zero economy and the potential for the WGEH to attract other industries to Western Australia, creating a ripple effect of economic development. The ultimate success of the WGEH remains uncertain, contingent upon numerous factors ranging from environmental approvals and community acceptance to securing sufficient funding and navigating the complexities of a nascent industry. The Nullarbor's future hangs in the balance.
