The Australian government has announced $70 million in support for the development of the Townsville Hydrogen Hub, accelerating the growth of North Queensland’s hydrogen industry.
With matched funding, the region is slated to receive $140 million to foster renewable energy for domestic use or for export.
The hydrogen hub in Townsville is expected to create regional jobs, accelerate Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy, and foster decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors, such as industrial processing and transport.
In a media release, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy’s office said the region’s port facilities, work capacity, and proximity to Asian trading partners make it an ideal location for a green hydrogen hub.
The latest Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program will offer grants ranging from $30 million to $70 million under an open and competitive application process when applications open in March 2023.
Applicants will be vetted in two stages, with an initial open competitive process, which will be followed by a formal application process for shortlisted applicants.
“This is an important development for Australia and North Queensland. Australia is already one of the largest exporters of energy in the world; a thriving hydrogen industry here in North Queensland will be critical for us to become a renewable energy superpower as well,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“The hub will help secure jobs and economic growth in Queensland, delivering on one of our key commitments, and could also pave the way for exports to our valued trading partners in Japan, South Korea and across Asia,” Albanese added.
Overall, the Australian government has allocated over $525 million in support of hydrogen hubs in the country, including the $454 million Regional Hydrogen Hubs program for projects in places like Gladstone, the Hunter Valley, the Pilbara, Port Bonython, and Bell Bay.
An investment of $89.5 million is also slated for rollout to aid the transport sector’s transition to hydrogen, including through hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia’s busiest freight routes.
“Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy transformation and create jobs for technicians, tradespeople and engineers, as well as significant opportunities in related businesses and service industries,” said Chris Bowen, minister for climate change and energy.
“These regional hubs will give our green hydrogen industry an early-stage springboard to scale, which will help to promote further growth and investment in clean technology.”
