Major Hydrogen Project in Australia: Plug Power to Supply Electrolyser for Orica's Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub

Slingerlands — Australia's hydrogen sector has reached a key milestone as the first project under the Hydrogen Headstart program advances to construction. Mining and explosives group Orica has taken a final investment decision (FID) for the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub. US company Plug Power will supply a PEM electrolyser for the project.

For Plug Power, listed on the renewable energy stock index RENIXX World, the order marks a further step in the expansion of its Asia-Pacific business, where the company is already involved in several electrolyser projects in Australia. Orica, in turn, is advancing the decarbonization of its ammonia production with the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, securing a key building block for the competitiveness of its site.

PEM Electrolysis for Ammonia Production

Under the order, Plug Power will supply a 50-MW PEM electrolyser to be built directly next to Orica's existing ammonia plant on Kooragang Island, New South Wales. Using electricity from renewable sources, the electrolyser will produce hydrogen that is intended to gradually replace natural gas in the decarbonization of ammonia and ammonium nitrate production. Ammonia and ammonium nitrate are precursor products used in Australia's mining, agriculture and industrial sectors.

The Plug Power plant is expected to produce around 4,700 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, replacing approximately 7.5 percent of the site's natural gas consumption.

Under Australia's Hydrogen Headstart program, the project is receiving support of around AUD 432 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). According to Plug Power, the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub is the first project under this program to reach construction readiness.

Orica Draws on Plug's Track Record with Large-Scale Systems

Melbourne-based Orica is a global provider of mining and infrastructure solutions, ranging from explosives and blasting systems to digital mining solutions, and operates in more than 100 countries. For the electrolyser project, the company is relying on Plug Power's expertise. According to Plug Power, the company has already installed GenEco electrolyser systems with a combined capacity of more than 320 MW across six continents, including projects in Townsville and Chinchilla in Australia. This also includes a 100-MW project with Galp in Portugal, which Plug Power describes as one of the largest electrolyser plants in Europe.

“Being selected as the electrolyzer OEM for the country's largest renewable hydrogen project to reach FID, and the first Hydrogen Headstart project to move into the execution phase, reflects the confidence our customers place in Plug’s technology and our ability to deliver at scale,” said José Luis Crespo, CEO of Plug Power.

“We selected Plug as our electrolyzer OEM because of its proven track record in delivering large-scale PEM systems and their ability to support a project of this complexity and ambition,” said Germán Morales, Orica Group President – AusPac and Sustainability.

Plug Power Share Price Declines in Current Trading Week

Plug Power's share price fell by around 10 percent to EUR 2.08 over the first four trading days of the current week (closing price, July 9, 2026, Börse Stuttgart). Compared to its price at the start of the year, the stock is currently up 23.8 percent (December 30, 2025: EUR 1.68).

Source: IWR Online, 10 Jul 2026