Tuesday 4 April 2023
LIBERTY Steel has announced the phase-out of coal-based steelmaking at its Whyalla steelworks, signing a supply contract for a $485 million low carbon electric arc furnace.
The purchase represents yet another major step in the reindustrialisation of the Upper Spencer Gulf via decarbonisation, with the investment taking place alongside the South Australian Government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan.
The new Danieli furnace will lift steelmaking capacity at Whyalla from 1 million to 1.5 million tonnes per year, supporting growth in Whyalla’s permanent workforce.
Engineering work is already advanced, and construction is expected to be completed in 2025 replacing the existing Coke Ovens and blast furnace.
LIBERTY has also engaged global equipment suppliers for the installation of a 1.8 million tonne per annum Direct Reduction Plant, which would process local magnetite ore to produce low-carbon iron.
The plant would initially use a mix of natural gas and green hydrogen, before fully transitioning to green hydrogen.
The project is precisely the sort of capital investment the South Australian Government hoped to see made possible through its Hydrogen Jobs Plan.
LIBERTY has plans to increase magnetite production to produce low carbon iron from Whyalla at its network of electric arc furnaces in Australia, Asia, Europe and the UK, helping to decarbonise steel supply chains across the world.
- Find out more about South Australia's Office for Hydrogen Power South Australia and the Hydrogen Jobs Plan
Quotes attributable to Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier
Whyalla and the broader Upper Spencer Gulf has enormous potential to lead the world in green hydrogen production, helping decarbonise industry across the planet.
The South Australian Government has selected Whyalla to be the home of our Hydrogen Jobs Plan, which will see the world’s biggest eletrolyser and hydrogen power station.
Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Energy and Mining
South Australia is leading the world with our investments in green hydrogen.
We firmly believe the global effort to decarbonise presents an opportunity for the Upper Spencer Gulf, which has some of the best renewable energy resources on the planet, and a skilled industrial workforce.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Giles, Eddie Hughes
Whyalla has a long history of innovation and ingenuity when it comes to manufacturing.
I am excited by what the future holds - a cleaner, more productive and more sustainable steelworks, and a green hydrogen hub.
