Whitebark Energy has expanded its ground in Queensland’s prospective Cooper Basin after securing an additional exploration permit consisting of 1250 sub-blocks granted to the company to produce geothermal energy.

It is the third Queensland permit Whitebark has obtained, complementing its existing two licenses that sit near market infrastructure and also stretching what it calls its “hydrogen hub” in the State. The company’s existing Queensland assets consist of its Geothermal to Hydrogen project comprising two permit areas in the south-west of the State and its Geothermal Energy project in the south-east.

Management says the existing well data for the new permit area indicates significant geothermal activity and believes it promises long-term renewable energy production.

The new permit, which is in line with Whitebark’s strategic commercialisation pathway, boosts its ground coverage to 10,113 square kilometres and aligns with the Federal Government’s recent $11.2 billion rollout of incentives for hydrogen production. The permit ground comprises 3873sq km and sits about 125km south-west of Eromanga in Queensland.

‘Renewable energy production initiatives continue to attract strong support from investors and government bodies.’

Whitebark Energy general manager Adam Stepanoff

Management says it conducted an extensive geological review to evaluate the potential synergies with its existing assets and provision for future access to National Energy markets (NEM). It says the company’s future plans are to consolidate its Queensland asset base and develop a work program for the two projects, working closely with government bodies and technology partners to determine timeframes and financing strategies.

Whitebark Energy general manager Adam Stepanoff said: “We are excited about the potential of our combined portfolio and will continue to evaluate opportunities as part of our ongoing hydrogen commercialisation study and the recently-announced government hydrogen funding consultations. Renewable energy production initiatives continue to attract strong support from investors and government bodies, and we remain committed to meeting the growing demand for clean, reliable hydrogen energy.”

The company is aiming to develop Australia’s first geothermal energy-to-hydrogen project and is pushing towards a final investment decision (FID) in the first half of next year.

Its 100 per cent-owned Geothermal to Hydrogen project, about 100km west of the town of Windorah in south-west Queensland, comprises an area of 589sq km and is Whitebark’s main focus of attention. Management says the project represents a significant milestone within Australia, with local infrastructure and energy end-users nearby, in addition to the opportunity to support local green hydrogen production.