Gladstone H2 Ecosystem Project
GPA was engaged by Sumitomo Corporation as Owner’s Engineer for the Gladstone H2 Ecosystem Project, a major hydrogen production development located at the Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun site in Gladstone, Queensland. The project produces renewable-based hydrogen to decarbonise the Rio Tinto calcination process at the refinery.
Acting as the owner’s technical representative, GPA provided independent engineering oversight and multidisciplinary support throughout the detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning phases of the project. The facility has now progressed through delivery and commissioning and is ready for operation.
During the design and procurement phases, GPA reviewed EPC contractor, subcontractor and vendor documentation across process, mechanical, piping, civil, structural, electrical, instrumentation and control disciplines. The team provided technical assurance, participated in stakeholder workshops, supported design optimisation activities and reviewed material take-offs to support project estimating and investment decisions. GPA’s role ensured that engineering deliverables aligned with project objectives while maintaining a strong focus on safety, operability and quality.
GPA’s safety team played a leading role throughout this phase, effectively managing and coordinating the project’s Safety in Design program. This included facilitating and leading design risk assessments, hazard identification workshops and safety reviews to ensure risks were systematically identified, assessed and eliminated or mitigated as early as possible in the project lifecycle. GPA also provided extensive technical assurance regarding compliance with Australian legislation, standards and industry requirements, supporting the integration of multiple international technology packages into a compliant and operable facility.
As the project transitioned into construction, GPA supplied site-based project engineering and construction management resources to represent the owner’s interests on site. This included monitoring construction activities, verifying compliance with approved designs, managing technical queries, supporting quality inspections, coordinating interfaces between stakeholders and assisting with issue resolution. GPA worked closely with the EPC contractor, Sumitomo Corporation and Rio Tinto personnel to facilitate efficient project execution and maintain alignment across all parties.
GPA also led owner-side support during commissioning, providing specialist electrical and instrumentation expertise, commissioning oversight and operational readiness support. This included conducting site audits, Hazardous Area (HA) compliance reviews and Functional Safety Assessments to verify that systems were installed, tested and operated in accordance with design intent, applicable standards and project safety requirements. The team assisted with completion verification, commissioning and testing activities, risk reviews, stakeholder coordination and readiness assessments to ensure systems were commissioned safely and performed as intended prior to handover.
The project demonstrates GPA’s experience in providing Owner’s Engineer services for complex energy and industrial projects, supporting the successful delivery of the Gladstone H2 Ecosystem Project from detailed design through to operational readiness.
