The government of Western Australia (WA) has provided new policies and guidance for large hydrogen projects.

The state anticipates a growing number of requests for access to state land as its renewable hydrogen industry expands.

Developers of large-scale hydrogen projects need to consider a number of factors when developing a proposal, including the existing land tenure, the underlying holders of the land (including native title rights), the various stakeholders with an interest in the site, and the legislative framework for gaining short and long-term access.

12pc – WA’s share of global LNG exports

The state has published practical guidelines for renewable hydrogen developers seeking early access to state land to complete on-site feasibility and geotechnical studies.

It includes criteria that will be used to assess whether a project will deliver the best use of the relevant land.

The state government's preference is that, where more than one project proponent has an interest in developing the same area, those proponents and any existing interest holders “co-exist”. Co-existing can include sharing the land or using it sequentially.

“Agreement to co-exist will involve good faith and best endeavours negotiations and agreement making based on the development of ongoing working relationships,” says the policy.

A ‘Policy for Consideration of Highest and Best Use’ sets out the process for managing situations where negotiations do not lead to a co-existence arrangement between new competing projects proposed for the same area of land.

"We are very conscious we need to help renewable hydrogen proponents navigate land tenure arrangements and to make those processes fit for purpose,” says hydrogen industry minister Alannah MacTiernan.

"The new policy and guidance released today are useful documents for any large-scale hydrogen project proponents hoping to access and use crown land.”

The development of the policy and guidance was led by the state’s Hydrogen Ministerial Taskforce, with input from various government departments and industry.  

WA is home to a number of large proposed projects. These include BP’s Asian Renewable Energy Hub, fertiliser producer Yara’s collaboration with utility Engie and a renewable hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility being developed by oil and gas firm Woodside.

WA’s hydrogen strategy targets a market share of global hydrogen exports similar to its share in LNG today. WA accounted for 12pc of global LNG exports and 56pc of Australia's LNG exports in 2021, according to the state government.

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Author: Tom Young