ReNu Energy Limited has welcomed the Tasmanian government’s new funding allocated to help stimulate local green hydrogen capability as the state moves closer towards commercial-scale green hydrogen generation by 2025.
The funding, which is part of the second round of the Tasmanian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund, is intended to support the domestic production and use of green hydrogen at a scale of five to 10 megawatts (MW) in order to boost local demand and launch the green hydrogen industry in the state.
To gain funding, proponents must commit to starting production in 2025, demonstrate a market for the green hydrogen generated, and show a route to economic sustainability.
Geoffrey Drucker, ReNu Energy’s executive director and countrywide hydrogen managing director, said the Tasmanian Government’s announcements an endorsement for the company’s strategy.
“Our projects are focused on supplying Tasmanian customers with access to locally produced green hydrogen to reduce emissions in road transport, decarbonise natural gas networks and offer green hydrogen as an energy solution for industrial customers,” Drucker said.
By making the statement, Drucker noted that the government is also upholding its commitment to promote hydrogen production projects in the 2020 Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan.
Meanwhile, Greg Watson, ReNu Energy CEO, said the funding, announced by Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett, enhances the development pathway for the company’s three Tasmanian green hydrogen projects, which are nearing the final investment decision stage this year, with the first hydrogen supply expected in mid-2025.
“With the development approval process underway, contracts being negotiated for electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling station equipment supply, hydrogen customers and sites identified for each project, our trajectory is clear,” Watson noted.
Countrywide Hydrogen Pty Ltd (Countrywide Hydrogen), a wholly owned subsidiary of ReNu Energy, is currently working on three distributed green hydrogen projects in Tasmania: Brighton (Hobart), Western Junction (Launceston), and Heybridge (Burnie).
The company also revealed that a call for registers of interest is scheduled for October 2023.
