Fortescue has today officially opened its world-leading electrolyser manufacturing facility in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia – one of the first globally to house an automated assembly line

Constructed and fully operational in just over two years, the advanced manufacturing facility spans 15,000 square meters and boasts the capacity to annually produce over 2 gigawatts (GW) of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks. Dr. Andrew Forrest AO, the Executive Chair and Founder of Fortescue, expressed pride in being an early mover in this endeavor. He credited the vision and initial support from the Queensland and Federal Governments for kick-starting the project, envisioning it as the cornerstone for a burgeoning manufacturing industry in Australia, potentially generating thousands of new green energy jobs.

Mark Hutchinson, Fortescue's Energy CEO, highlighted the significance of the Gladstone facility, which manufactures electrolysers designed internally by Fortescue teams in both Australia and the United States, positioning the company as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). He emphasized the growing demand for green hydrogen and electrolysers due to innovative applications aimed at decarbonization.

The development of the site received support from the Queensland Government, which provided essential infrastructure such as electrical substations, road networks, and water connections, along with land allocation. The Australian Government contributed AU$44 million.

Electrolysers, which split hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electrical current through water, are central to Fortescue's strategic focus on expanding its Energy business. The facility not only produces electrolysers but also serves as a hub for innovation and research to drive future solutions.

The electrolyser facility marks the initial phase of a broader Green Energy Manufacturing Centre, slated for development by Fortescue on the 100-hectare Gladstone site. Subsequent phases will include a hydrogen system testing facility and the PEM50 green hydrogen project. Over 100 jobs were created during the construction phase, with the facility and broader Centre expected to support over 300 direct and indirect jobs in the future.