GEGHA project in regional Australia reaches FID

National Australian Bank to provide project finance

Click to expand. Visualisation of the GEGHA project, adjacent to the existing Wathagar cotton ginning facility near Moree, New South Wales. From Andrew Clennett, Partnering to create one of the world’s first decarbonised value chains (June 2025).

Hiringa Energy, Sundown Pastoral Company and the NSW Government announced that financial close has been reached on the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project in Moree, regional NSW. The integrated solar to low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia project will produce fertiliser and fuel adjacent to the Wathagar cotton ginning facility, and used by Sundown to Sundown to support production of its positive net-zero, traceable Good Earth Cotton. Construction is scheduled to begin in October this year, and be fully operational in early 2027. Project financing was provided by the National Australia Bank, with funding from the NSW state government.

GEGHA will produce up to 4,500 tons of low-carbon ammonia per year, displacing fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers currently used by Sundown. The facility will also supply around 200 tons of hydrogen per year, displacing diesel fuel in irrigation pumping, and for use as a fuel in heavy road vehicle transport. Hiringa plans to deploy a heavy-vehicle refuelling network in Australia, similar to its hydrogen refueling infrastructure opened in New Zealand last year.

Getting the green light for green fertiliser production isn’t just about producing low-carbon ammonia. It’s a model for overcoming the obstacles that have held back the establishment of these new green industries. By strategically partnering with Sundown Pastoral Co., we’re anchoring demand with supply to meet the immediate needs of the agricultural sector.

As both a template and a catalyst GEGHA paves the way for decentralised fertiliser production across NSW’s agricultural valleys – cutting emissions, meeting demand, and driving a more resilient regional economy.

Hiringa Co-founder and CEO Andrew Clennett, in his organisation’s official press release, 23 July 2025

Agriculture is always adapting – as farmers we have adapted for generations. We have been measuring our emissions and reductions for the past five years. There is an increasing demand for fibres that demonstrate a lower footprint and the GEGHA project allows us to further control the reduction of our emissions.

Owner of Sundown Pastoral Company David Statham, in Hiringa Energy’s official press release, 23 July 2025

This pioneering project could help transform Australian agriculture by enabling a more resilient, low-emissions future. As the bank for one in three Aussie agribusinesses, we’re committed to backing customers tackling challenges like access to affordable, low-emissions fertiliser. We’re proud to support GEGHA’s vision and its ambition to help farmers cut emissions, and boost profitability.

NAB Executive for Regional and Agribusiness Khan Horne, in Hiringa Energy’s official press release, 23 July 2025

Updated project specs, expansion plans

Since 2023, project specs have been updated to include:

• 36MW of solar generation capacity including an existing 9 MW array and 27 MW of new capacity, supported by a 41 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and low capacity grid connection.
• 15 MW of electrolysis, producing hydrogen from renewable electricity and locally sourced water supply.
• A 16 tonne per day ammonia plant, utilising hydrogen and air-captured nitrogen to manufacture ammonia.
• 600 tonnes of ammonia storage capacity to manage variable renewable energy supply and seasonal ammonia demand.
• 3 tonnes of hydrogen storage.

Click to expand. Hiringa’s expansion plans, based on the success of the GEGHA project. From Andrew Clennett, Partnering to create one of the world’s first decarbonised value chains (June 2025).

The GEGHA project concept is also “scalable and repeatable”. Hiringa is progressing plans for expansion projects in both NSW’s Riverina and Gwydir regions, and at a larger scale –  each expansion plant will include over 50 MW of electrolysis to produce ~20,000 tons of ammonia per year.

Life Cycle Assessments: generating more project value

Click to expand. Revenue generated from carbon credits for a theoretical low-carbon ammonia plant in Australia. From Carl Richardson, Enhancing project viability with carbon services (June 2025).

Carbon services provider FarmN contributed to the GEGHA project reaching FID, providing a high-quality Life Cycle Assessment and services forecasting the revenue from the sale of both Energy Savings Certificates and emission reduction credits. The forecasting services use FarmN’s technology-agnostic methodology for calculating the LCA of low emission N-Fertilizer production, being developed with Gold Standard^TM.

FarmN is thrilled to be part of the GEGHA project and to contribute our expertise in carbon accounting and sustainability. Our technology-agnostic methodology represents a significant advancement in the field, and we are excited to see its application in this important initiative. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals through innovative and effective solutions.

Carl Richardson, Managing Director of FarmN, in his organisation’s official press release, 23 July 2025