The South Australian Government has announced a consortium comprising ATCO Australia and BOC, a Linde company, as the preferred partner to design the world's biggest H₂ production facility and a H₂ power plant near Whyalla, South Australia. The ATCO Australia and BOC consortium has committed to an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement with the state government, which will see the consortium undertake detailed project and engineering design, procurement of critical equipment, finalize contracting arrangements, and cost estimations. The project's operations are set to commence in 2026.

"Across our global operating jurisdictions, we are working closely with governments, communities and partners to build better communities and make meaningful progress on decarbonization," said Nancy Southern, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, ATCO. "We are delighted to be working closely with South Australian Government and acknowledge their foresight and action on this H₂ opportunity."

The 250-MW H₂ production facility and 200-MW H₂-fueled electricity generation facility are part of the South Australia's H₂ Jobs Plan Project, which also includes a H₂ storage facility. To date, South Australia has committed about $375 MM of state funding and will own the proposed facilities.

"These facilities will unlock opportunities for further energy innovation across the country," said John Ivulich, CEO and Country Chair, ATCO Australia. "Our selection as a preferred partner speaks to the talent of the ATCO team and our expertise in advancing H₂ – through projects like the Clean Energy Innovation Hub here in Australia and H₂ natural gas blending programs in Canada and Australia  - as well as our expertise in the design, building and operation of power plants in Canada, Australia and the U.K."