Sparc Hydrogen commences pilot plant construction

Sparc Technologies has announced the commencement of the construction of Sparc Hydrogen’s first-of-its kind photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) pilot plant. The company says construction of the pilot plant demonstrates strong progress towards the development of next-generation green hydrogen production by the Sparc Hydrogen joint venture partners, Sparc Technologies, Fortescue Limited and the University of Adelaide.

Commencement of pilot plant construction at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus follows several key milestones having been delivered by Sparc Hydrogen during Q1 2025, including manufacture of the linear Fresnel concentrated solar field in Europe (currently in transit), execution of an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract with Incitias Pty Ltd, receipt of planning consent from the Light Regional Council and commencement of reactor manufacturing. In addition, Sparc announced the granting of the first patent for Sparc Hydrogen’s exclusively licensed PWS reactor technology in January 2025.

“It is very rewarding to see progress being made both at Roseworthy and in the factory towards delivering a globally leading facility for green hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting,’ said Sparc Managing Director Nick O’Loughlin. “In an environment where major challenges exist for hydrogen projects due to the high cost of power, the requirement for new solutions to unlock low-cost green hydrogen without relying on electrolysers has never been higher.”

Sparc Hydrogen believes that the Roseworthy pilot plant will represent a globally leading facility for R&D and commercialisation of photocatalytic water splitting, reinforcing Sparc Hydrogen’s first mover position in this emerging direct solar-to-hydrogen technology.

A first patent for Sparc Hydrogen’s exclusively licensed PWS reactor technology was granted in January 2025 with 17 other jurisdiction-based reviews in progress.

Based on the current construction schedule provided by Incitias, pilot plant commissioning is expected in mid-2025. When built, the pilot plant will allow Sparc Hydrogen to independently and concurrently test different reactor designs and photocatalyst materials. Sparc Hydrogen is not aware of any similar facilities for testing and scale-up of photocatalytic water splitting under concentrated solar conditions.

Sparc Hydrogen’s novel utilisation of PWS technology sets it apart from conventional approaches in the production of green hydrogen. Crucially, PWS does not rely on renewable electricity sources such as solar or wind farms, nor expensive electrolysers, to produce hydrogen from water. This addresses a fundamental issue in the nascent green hydrogen industry — the cost of renewable electricity. Sparc Hydrogen’s pioneering technology employs photocatalyst materials and sunlight to produce green hydrogen directly from water.