The South Australian Government's Hydrogen Jobs Plan in Whyalla has been granted environmental approval for a power generation project. This initiative involves the construction of 250MW of electrolysers that will supply hydrogen to a 200MW power generation unit, equipped with a storage pipeline capable of holding up to 100 tonnes of hydrogen. The project's primary goal is to utilize surplus renewable energy generated by wind and solar farms to provide power to homes and businesses throughout the state. The approval for this endeavor was granted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). Following the approvals obtained in August, the state government is now required to formulate project management plans and an environmental impact offset strategy. The project, led by the Office of Hydrogen Power SA (OHPSA) in collaboration with ATCO Australia and BOC, has secured funding exceeding AUD $402m ($263.8m) and is scheduled to kick off operations in 2026. OHPSA CEO, Sam Crafter, praised the approval as a demonstration of their dedication to harmonizing renewable energy development and preservation efforts. Crafter highlighted the project's dual focus on driving job growth and fostering innovation in the Whyalla region while also ensuring the protection of the area's unique biodiversity. This environmentally-minded approach underscores the project's commitment to sustainable development and responsible utilization of resources.