The Rockliff Liberal Government has today opened consultation on the Water Miscellaneous (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill 2023.
The draft Bill contains proposed amendments to water legislation that will enable Tasmanian Irrigation to supply water to the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said any water supplied to green hydrogen producers will be sourced from the existing Hydro Tasmania water allocation, ensuring that no additional pressure is placed on Tasmania’s water supplies.
“This change will support the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan which sets the ambitious goal of transforming Tasmania into a globally significant exporter of green hydrogen from 2030,” Minister Barnett said.
“This shared water infrastructure solution is a key part of enabling green hydrogen production at Bell Bay.
“The estimated water volumes to be provided to hydrogen producers would represent less than 1 per cent of what would normally flow through the Trevallyn power station annually.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, said this exciting opportunity presents a win-win for our farmers in the Tamar Valley, as it will give them access to high-surety irrigation water, and to Tasmania as a producer of Green Hydrogen.
“The reality is the Tamar Valley Irrigation Scheme did not meet the water sales threshold needed to underpin the business case Adding water demand for Green hydrogen production is a game changer for the Tamar Valley farmers,” Minister Palmer said.
Tasmania can play a key role in the local, national and international transition to green energy.
The State has unique advantages of infrastructure and renewable energy to create a thriving export-scale green hydrogen production facility that will support local jobs and manufacturing.
It will also support a secure green hydrogen source for Tasmanian businesses that need an alternative to natural gas to decarbonise their products and services.
Consultation on the draft Bill is open until 8 August 2023 at 5pm (EST), visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s website
