NH3 Clean Energy (ASX: NH3) has bolstered its financing case for the WAH2 clean ammonia project with a positive independent assessment from ACIL Allen forecasting substantial public benefits.
The assessment shows a Benefit Cost Ratio of 3.07 and forecasts significant economic and environmental gains, designed to support critical funding applications.
Over its operational life, the project is expected to increase Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by A$7.3 billion, along with a forecast real income boost of A$6.2 billion.
The report further projects total Commonwealth and State government tax payments of A$2.6 billion over the project's life, an average of A$88 million per year.
Qualitative benefits cited include supporting the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area, while the project also aims to help underwrite carbon capture and storage in the Pilbara and reduce Western Australia's economic leakage by onshoring marine fuel production and bunkering.
Support for Financing Applications
NH3 Clean Energy commissioned this public benefits assessment specifically to support its project financing applications.
These applications are with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) and Export Finance Australia.
A positive assessment, particularly one with a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) above 1, is designed to strengthen NH3's position and bolster their case for government-backed policy lending.
This move aligns with previous disclosures, with the company announcing in April that it was already in discussions with public and government financing organisations regarding funding for WAH2.
Environmental Impact Forecasts
The WAH2 project is forecast to deliver substantial environmental benefits.
It is projected to reduce global emissions by 13.5 million tonnes CO2 equivalent (TCO2e) over its Phase 1 life.
During Phase 1 operations, the annual emissions reduction is projected to be 0.54 million TCO2e per year.
This significant reduction is based on clean ammonia displacing conventional fossil fuels.
Project Milestones and Context
The WAH2 project is currently in the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase, with NH3 Clean Energy targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of 2026.
The company has achieved several key milestones for WAH2 including a binding 15-year water supply agreement with Water Corporation of WA.
They also selected Linde Engineering to deliver the FEED for the project.
NH3 is actively exploring various commercial and delivery models, including Build-Own-Operate (BOO) arrangements, aimed at reducing the company's capital requirements and construction risk for the project.
Investor Risks Remain
NH3 Clean Energy's WAH2 project has received a significant boost from a positive independent public benefits assessment, which is designed to strengthen its applications for critical government financing.
However, it is important to note that this announcement presents a forecasting assessment of public benefits and does not confirm the approval of funding from NAIF or Export Finance Australia.
The WAH2 Phase 1 project still has significant funding requirements, estimated between A$405 million and A$567 million, and securing this funding on acceptable terms remains a key challenge.
Furthermore, the project's Final Investment Decision (FID) is contingent on several factors including securing the necessary funding, obtaining all final government approvals, and entering into binding offtake and customer contracts.
Project execution risks persist until these conditions are met.
