Proponent: Provaris Energy Ltd

Overview

Provaris Energy Ltd proposes to construct and operate a green hydrogen production and export facility on north-western Melville Island to facilitate hydrogen export to the Asia-Pacific region from Port Melville. The proposed activities include construction of a solar precinct, electrolyser facility, desalination plant, battery storage facilities, hydrogen compression and loading facilities, transmission infrastructure, and expanded accommodation facilities at Port Melville.

The proposal is a ‘controlled action’ under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Number: 2022/09347). The proposal is being assessed at the level of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by an accredited assessment approach.  The relevant controlling provisions are:

• Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A)
• Listed migratory species (sections 20 and 20A)
• The environment of the Commonwealth marine area, or the environment as the proposal would take place in a Commonwealth marine area (sections 23 and 24A).

Stage 1: Referral

NT EPA notices

• Notice of decision to accept referral for standard assessment - 29 July 2022 PDF (1.0 MB)
• Notice of decision and statement of reasons - assessment by EIS - 12 October 2022 PDF (133.1 KB)
• Notice of decision on terms of reference - 26 April 2023 PDF (107.3 KB)

Public consultation on the referral

Statutory notice (3 August 2022)

The NT EPA invited public comment on a referral for standard assessment submitted by Provaris Energy Ltd to construct and operate green hydrogen production and export facilities on Melville Island. The proposed activities include construction of a solar precinct, electrolyser facility, desalination plant, battery storage facilities, hydrogen compression facilities, transmission infrastructure, and expanded accommodation facilities at Port Melville.

Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 30 August 2022. The NT EPA published the notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.

Documents

Public consultation on the draft terms of reference

Statutory notice (10 March 2023)

The NT EPA invited public comment on the draft terms of reference for preparation of an environmental impact statement for the Tiwi H2 Project proposed by Provaris Energy Ltd.

Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 30 March 2023. The NT EPA published the notice in accordance with regulation 102 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.

Terms of reference