440km northof Perth, the Oakajee SIA is strategically located to facilitate export ofclean hydrogen and a range of downstream products but currently lacks the service infrastructure to facilitate the industry’s establishment.

The State Government has a vision for Oakajee to be a thriving, multi-proponent green industrial hub which provides great benefit to the region, the State and the nation.

In order to activate the site, government assistance will be required to establish critical infrastructure for the site – to address the initial lack of hydrogend emand and high production costs.

Johnstaff was initially engaged by JTSI to develop a business case supporting investment in critical enabling works and demand generation to stimulate further investment by the private sector in the activation of the Oakajee SIA.

Soon after engagement, the role was expanded to include preparation of a submission under the Commonwealth Government’s Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs Program (CHIHP).

Following completion of the prioritised CHIHP submission, Johnstaff resumed work on the Mid West Clean Hydrogen Hub business case, which was approved by JTSI in mid-2022 for consideration by Government.

This work included detailed economic analysis and modelling of Oakajee’s domestic and export potential based on renewable energy and clean hydrogen production, including realising the long-held vision of unlocking the Mid West’s vast iron ore resources.

Johnstaff has played a critical support role to JTSI as the lead agency for facilitation of development of the hydrogen industry.This multi-faceted role has involved extensive and diverse stakeholder engagement; complex research and analysis; and development of a range of associated deliverables.

With the business case complete, Johnstaff continued to assist JTSI in the role of Oakajee SIA Activation Program Director, responsible for coordinating the multiplicity of inter-related activities that comprise the Oakajee Program.