A consortium of South Korean energy leaders, spearheaded by Korea Southern Power Co (KOSPO), is joining forces with Australia’s Pilot Energy to develop the Mid West Clean Energy Project in Western Australia’s Perth Basin.
The initiative aims to produce blue ammonia for hydrogen co-firing in coal-fired power plants in Korea, marking a significant step in the transition towards cleaner energy solutions.
The project includes repurposing the former Cliff Head oil well in the Perth Basin into a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility.
Pilot Energy, which acquired the well from Triangle Energy, plans to store liquefied carbon emissions from Western Australian industrial sources, creating a new revenue stream through third-party carbon storage services.
The consortium, which includes Korea Southern Power, Korea East-West Power, Samsung C&T, and hydrogen producer Approtium, is targeting a 20 per cent ammonia and 80 per cent coal fuel blend for use at KOSPO’s 2044 megawatts Samcheok thermal power plant in Gangwon-Do, Korea.
The approach aims to reduce emissions while maintaining energy output.
The consortium and Pilot Energy recently signed a non-binding project framework agreement to advance the initiative.
Key milestones include:
- Completing a front-end engineering design (FEED) request by March 15.
- Engaging contractors to provide blue hydrogen production solutions.
- Finalising project ownership stakes, ammonia offtake arrangements, and a final investment decision by mid-2024.
The agreement aims to begin FEED work by August 1, pending the execution of a binding agreement by June 30.
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