Construction starts on 15MW green hydrogen fertiliser project

Construction has started at a state-backed 15MW green hydrogen and ammonia project in New South Wales, Australia, aiming to supply clean fertilisers by early 2027.

The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project by New Zealand’s Hiringa Energy and local agriculture firm Sundown Pastoral will produce up to 4,500 tonnes per year of green ammonia to replace fossil-based fertilisers in Sundown’s operations.

Backed by AUD $45.2m ($32.4m) in New South Wales funding, Sundown will use the output for its cotton and cropping operations at its Keytah Farm. 225 tonnes of hydrogen produced by the plant will also be used to replace diesel in farm operations and heavy-vehicle refuelling.

The project reached financial close in July 2025.

It comes after the Australian government proposed an AUD $10bn ($7.16bn)  fuel and fertiliser amid supply shocks due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Sundown Pastoral Company Owner, David Statham, said the project underscored the need for more local production.

“Recent fuel and fertiliser supply pressures have highlighted how exposed regional industries remain to volatile international markets, reinforcing the need for greater local energy resilience,” he said.

Clean hydrogen is increasingly finding commercial traction in fertiliser applications, replacing traditional fossil fuel sources.

Hiringa, which had originally anchored its business model on hydrogen refuelling, is also progressing a plant in New Zealand, which will supply local fertiliser production.

At COP30 in Brazil, the Hydrogen Council, Unido, Ammonia Energy Association, and International Fertiliser Association launched the  (LEAF) to accelerate the use of clean hydrogen-based fertilisers.