Fortescue exec arrives to discuss project

FORTESCUE Future Industries (FFI) chief executive officer Julie Shuttleworth is in the country to meet with stakeholders, visit the newly established FFI Purari hydropower project camp in Wabo, Gulf, and the company’s potential geothermal energy project site in West New Britain.
The company, in a statement, said it was collaborating with PNG to investigate developing multiple renewable energy and green hydrogen projects.
“Studies to potentially develop up to seven hydropower projects and 11 geothermal energy projects in PNG have made progress with scoping studies and an early-stage pre-feasibility study well advanced,” the statement said.
“If these projects were to proceed, and subject to further studies and approval, they would generate renewable electricity for the purpose of producing green hydrogen and green ammonia, creating a significant new domestic energy and export industry for PNG, which currently heavily relies on imported oil.”
Shuttleworth said she was looking forward to meeting and engaging with the local communities in PNG.
“As a values-based business, we are firmly committed to empowering thriving communities by delivering positive social, environmental, and economic benefits, through transparent, and ongoing dialogue.”
Shuttleworth said FFI had an office in Port Moresby with an in-country team who would ensure that FFI continued to engage with communities to embrace the PNG’s diverse cultural values as well as social and environmental values.
“FFI’s objective in assessing these opportunities is to help PNG achieve its goals of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and harnessing its renewable energy resources,” she said.
“Our green energy vision for PNG would lead to more jobs, a stronger economy, thriving communities and importantly, help reduce emissions.”