Hydrogen expert takes Frontier’s helm as development looms

Frontier’s transition towards becoming a green hydrogen producer has been bolstered by the appointment of highly experienced expert Sam Mohan as its managing director.

Mohan is an accomplished energy executive with over 20 years’ experience in the energy and utilities industry with expertise ranging from design and construction through to strategic asset management, regulation, policy, commercial and innovation.

He was previously the global head of hydrogen at Xodus Group, a Subsea 7 subsidiary, where he developed and led Xodus’ overall hydrogen strategy and conceptualised its largest hydrogen project – Project MercurHy.

Prior to this, he spent six years at ATCO where he was instrumental in developing the company’s hydrogen strategy, including the conceptualisation, design and construction of Australia’s first green hydrogen microgrid, the Clean Energy Innovation Hub.

His appointment follows Frontier Energy’s (ASX:FHE) recent shortlisting of two engineering, procurement and construction contractors for the planned 114MW Stage One solar farm.

“Given the relative infancy of the hydrogen industry, to attract someone of Sam’s vast experience, in a highly competitive landscape, clearly shows the significant potential that he could see at the Bristol Springs Hydrogen Project to be one of the first major producers of hydrogen in Australia,” executive chairman Grant Davey said.

“Whilst Sam’s experience is clear, I believe his biggest attribute is the energy he will bring to the team, which is essential for any company – however perhaps more so in an industry that is still so early in its life cycle. I look forward to working closely with Sam in the years ahead.”

Low cost green hydrogen

A Pre-Feasibility Study has already found that the company’s planned Stage One solar farm could power a 36.6MW electrolyser to produce 4.4 million kilograms of green hydrogen per annum at just $2.83/kg – well within reach of the $2/kg price point where the green fuel is considered to be competitive with fossil fuels.

Further expansion is likely to further reduce costs given the economies of scale and shared associated infrastructure.

Deciding on an expansion should be straightforward enough given that a Renewable Expansion Technical Assessment completed by Xodus has found that Frontier holds enough land for a solar-only solution that could produce at least 438MW of power.

While selection of an EPC contractor for the Stage One solar plant is now underway, the company expects to start a separate EPC tender process for the development of the electrolyser upon completion of the preliminary Front-end engineering and design study (Pre-FEED), which is due to be released during the fourth quarter.

This article was developed in collaboration with Frontier Energy, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.