Edify has development approvals to build a green hydrogen production plant of up to 1 gigawatt as well as behind-the-meter solar power and battery storage at the Lansdown eco-industrial predinct in Townsville.

QPM is developing a refinery, or TECH project, in the city that will produce nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate, which will be refined into battery grade nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate.

Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding Edify would supply 100,000 gigajoules-equivalent of green hydrogen a year as well as oxygen gas and waste water.

The deal, if completed, would give Edify a baseload customer.

QPM managing director Stephen Grocott said the agreement was a chance to enhance the green credentials of the TECH project.

Edify chief executive John Cole said the agreement was an example of how a decarbonised and advanced manufacturing ecosystem could be realised.

“We think it creates a blueprint locally and more broadly across the region,” he said.

“The green credentials ambition of the TECH project are admirable and a sign of zero emissions supply chain model that all exporters will need to transition towards.”