The Albanese Government is turbocharging Australia's green hydrogen industry, with a $70 million investment to support the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville.
The Government will today release guidelines for the competitive Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program, which will deliver $70 million towards projects that accelerate the development of a hydrogen industry in North Queensland
With matched funding, the region will see a $140 million investment in renewable hydrogen for our own use or to supply the rest of the world as fuel, energy generation and storage, or as a chemical feedstock.
The Townsville Hydrogen Hub will create regional jobs, support Australia's transition to a clean energy economy, and encourage decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors, such as industrial processing and transport.
The region's port facilities, workforce capacity, and proximity to Asian trading partners make it an ideal location for a green hydrogen hub.
The Government's investment in hydrogen hubs is now more than $525 million, including the $454 million Regional Hydrogen Hubs program for projects in places like Gladstone, the Hunter Valley, the Pilbara, Port Bonython and Bell Bay.
The Government is also investing $89.5 million to help the transport sector make the switch to hydrogen, including through hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia's busiest freight routes.
By 2050, Australia's hydrogen industry could generate $50 billion in additional GDP and create over 16,000 jobs, as well as an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to power the production of green hydrogen.
Producers, consumers, and potential exporters of hydrogen across industrial, transport, export and energy markets are eligible to apply for the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program. Guidelines are available at: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-hydrogen-hubs-townsville-region
Grants from $30 million to $70 million will be available under an open and competitive application process when applications open in March 2023.
Applicants will be assessed in two stages, with an initial open competitive process. This will be followed by a formal application process for shortlisted applicants.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will provide an information session for potential applicants in the coming months.
