The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia
Tom Koutsantonis MP, South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have finalised a grant agreement to develop the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub near Whyalla, which will create regional jobs and bring Australia another step closer to becoming a renewable energy superpower.
Together, both governments are investing $100 million to develop infrastructure at Port Bonython and prepare it to become South Australia’s first large-scale export terminal for hydrogen.
Along with private sector funding, the redeveloped Port Bonython is expected to host projects worth up to $13 billion and projected to generate as much as 1.8 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030.
With expanses of available land, abundant solar and wind resources, South Australia is primed to become a world-class, low-cost hydrogen supplier and the SA Government has a comprehensive plan to develop a hydrogen industry in the Spencer Gulf, including through its world leading Hydrogen Jobs Plan, which will include development of a hydrogen electrolyser, power station and storage facility.
The Australian Government, through the Net Zero Economy Agency and review of the National Hydrogen Strategy, will consider what is required to facilitate hydrogen supply chains.
The Australian Government’s vision is to build a clean, innovative, safe and competitive hydrogen industry that benefits all Australians.
The Australian Government is investing over half a billion dollars for regional Hydrogen Hubs including in Pilbara, Kwinana, Gladstone, Townsville, the Hunter, Bell Bay and Upper Spencer Gulf.
The recent Commonwealth Budget allocated $2 billion for a new Hydrogen Headstart program to scale up development of Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry.
This critical new investment is all about making Australia a global leader in green hydrogen, as competition for clean energy investment accelerates around the world.
By 2050, Australia’s hydrogen industry is projected to generate $50 billion in additional GDP and create over 16,000 jobs in regional Australia. The industry is also expected to create an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to power the hydrogen production.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese:
“We’re working with the Malinauskas Government to develop the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, which will support regional jobs and take us a step closer to becoming a renewable energy superpower.
“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for Australia.
“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Premier Peter Malinauskas:
“Our state is blessed with the key ingredients the world needs to decarbonise international economies – abundant coincident wind and solar resources, critical minerals, strong renewable energy penetration, and well developed industrial hubs.
“Through our Hydrogen Jobs Plan, my Government is seizing the mantle to produce a world leading hydrogen electrolyser, power plant and storage facility.
“We’re working closely with industry to maximise this opportunity to grow a new industry, which has potential to create thousands of jobs and improve the standard of living for South Australians for generations to come.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
“Investing in an Australian green hydrogen industry puts us on a path to become a renewable superpower.
“Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in our clean energy transformation and will create jobs and spur investment in regional Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis:
“As the world seeks to decarbonise, hydrogen is emerging as a key commodity for reindustrialisation.
“The Malinauskas Government has recognised this and we are investing in our Hydrogen Jobs Plan for the future.
“Renewable hydrogen can be used as a reduction gas to decarbonise South Australia’s iron industry – helping fortify our industrial capacity for a zero-carbon future.”
