Origin Energy Future Fuels has been selected to develop the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub in collaboration with Orica.
The funding is part of the Australian Government’s Regional Hydrogen Hubs Program. This Program is investing more than $500 million in up to seven hydrogen hubs across the country. Hydrogen hubs are locations where producers, users and exporters of hydrogen work side by side to share infrastructure and expertise.
The Hunter Hydrogen Hub is located at the Port of Newcastle, New South Wales. The port is an ideal location for a green hydrogen hub that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry in the region.
The investment will make a strong contribution towards the infrastructure needed to build a production facility that can produce up to 5500 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.
The project aims to establish a green hydrogen export pathway and support regional job opportunities. It will do this by building workforce capabilities and support the creation of a new industry centred around green hydrogen availability.
Planning is underway for green hydrogen to flow to Kooragang Island for use at the Orica ammonia and ammonium nitrate facility. This will lead to a significant reduction in C02 emissions from the site. Further reductions will come from the use of hydrogen in heavy transport like buses.
The Regional Hydrogen Hubs program is part of the government’s $40 billion investment to transform Australia into a powerhouse of green energy generation and innovation.
