Posted on 27 Apr 2022
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged on Tuesday further public support for new clean hydrogen hubs in Queensland, Kallanish reports.
The government will enable AUD 275 million ($196.4m) for Queensland’s energy and resources sector, including two new hydrogen hubs – one in Gladstone and one in Townsville. The funding follows commitments to two facilities at Kwinana and Pilbara in Western Australia last week, and one in Darwin last weekend.
The Townsville hub is in addition to the seven hubs and AUD 464m funding announced last September. Both new projects are expected to be operational from 2025.
“We are backing Queensland to play a leading role in Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry, to build a strong economy for a stronger future,” he says.
Australian energy minister Angus Taylor notes the region has great potential to become a clean hydrogen powerhouse thanks to its access to local low-cost gas, carbon capture opportunities and renewables potential.
“There’s a lot of interest in both Gladstone and Townsville from key hydrogen consumer countries, including Japan and Korea," he says.
The Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) welcomed the news, saying co-locating hydrogen users and producers in areas with access to port, road and rail infrastructure and potential pipeline easements is an important step forward for the hydrogen industry.
“These are the hubs we have to have if Australia is to become a global player in hydrogen production and exports by 2030,” comments AHC’s ceo Fiona Simon. “It is a race, and we’re at the starting gates with the flag raise. It’s now up to governments to work with stakeholders and local communities to ensure the hydrogen hub sites quickly move into planning and development phases.”
Industry players say they are looking forward to the unveiling of the remaining hub locations, and working with the government to support a successful roll-out.
This latest funding round also includes carbon capture and storage projects.
Source:Kallanish
