Concept art of the initial stage of the Townsville Renewable Hydrogen Hub. Image: Anthony Albanese Facebook.
A renewable hydrogen hub will be established at Townsville in North Queensland under a joint-funding agreement between the Federal Government, industry and the German Government.
A release from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen says the hub will create 200 regional job opportunities for local electricians, plumbers, fitters and concreters during construction, as well ongoing jobs in technical and engineering roles.
It says the Australian-German collaboration brings together Germany’s expertise in hydrogen technology and Australia’s potential to be a world leader in the production and export of renewable hydrogen.
To be led by Edify Energy, the hub will produce green hydrogen for use by local industry and in zero-emissions transport, and will also deliver a 17.6 MW domestic production facility with integrated renewable energy generation and battery storage.
The initial stage will produce 800 tonnes of green hydrogen per year which is enough to fuel more than 40 heavy vehicles a year, but is planned to ramp up to around 3000 tonnes per year for domestic supply, and ultimately in excess of 150,000 tonnes for export.
Edify Energy’s partners include Siemens Energy, Queensland TAFE, James Cook University and Townsville Enterprise Limited who will work with industry bodies to provide education and training to ensure the local workforce is trained to develop and sustain the hydrogen industry.
The Townsville facility will be part of more than $500 million in Commonwealth funding for hydrogen hubs in regional centres like the recently announced site at Bell Bay in Tasmania, Kwinana and the Pilbara in WA, Gladstone in Queensland, Port Bonython in SA, and the NSW Hunter region.
Construction of the facility is scheduled to start in 2025 and be complete in 2026, with production to commence in 2027.
The Prime Minister is briefed on the Townsville Renewable Hydrogen Hub on 30 January. Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook.
The Prime Minister said investing in Townsville’s hydrogen industry was investing in Australia’s future.
“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for North Queensland,” he said.
“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia.”
Minister Bowen said the whole world needed renewable hydrogen, and regional Australia was ready to provide it.
“Renewable hydrogen is a game changer, opening the door to green metals, green fertiliser, green power and supporting industrial decarbonisation.
“With its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources, Townsville is ideally placed to help power the world with Australian renewable energy and create jobs in regional Australia.”
