Woodside and Keppel Data Centres agree on liquid hydrogen supply

Australia-based energy company Woodside and Keppel Data Centres, the data centre arm of Keppel Corporation, have signed a non-binding heads of agreement (HOA) to evaluate the potential supply of liquid hydrogen to Singapore from Woodside’s production facilities.

The liquid hydrogen would be supplied from Woodside’s portfolio of planned production facilities, including its proposed H2Perth facility in Perth, Western Australia. 

The agreement follows the conclusion of feasibility studies the parties began in late 2021.

The HOA provides a pathway for the parties to jointly develop further commercial principles for key hydrogen supply chain agreements. It references the potential purchase of approximately 1,000 tonnes per day of liquid hydrogen by Keppel Data Centres as early as 2030 when the parties anticipate the associated production technologies and shipping systems will reach maturity. 

The parties expect that a hydrogen supply chain will benefit Keppel Data Centres’ data centre facilities, including its planned Datapark+, which is envisioned to be an energy-efficient data centre park development in Singapore. Using hydrogen instead of more carbon-intensive energy sources has the potential to reduce emissions generated by data centres, Keppel said.

Woodside Executive Vice President New Energy Shaun Gregory noted: “Woodside has more than 30 years’ experience cooling, storing and transporting large volumes of gas. Liquefying hydrogen provides the opportunity to export energy that can contribute to the decarbonisation goals of customers and provide an economic and trade opportunity that supports the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement.”

Wong Wai Meng CEO of Keppel Data Centres, added: “We are investing to create a sustainable future for data centres through innovative lower-carbon solutions. Access to a stable supply of hydrogen to power our data centres in Singapore will accelerate our decarbonisation efforts as we transition towards net zero emissions. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Woodside to explore ways to reduce emissions and make a positive environmental impact.”