The Australian government has announced a AUD$140 million (€85 million) agreement with the Western Australian government to progress a hydrogen hub in the Pilbara region of western Australia.
This is the seventh hydrogen hub funded by the Australian government, with more than $500 million (€303 million) invested to support the development of the hydrogen industry in regional Australia.
The Pilbara Hydrogen Hub will serve as a prominent centre for hydrogen production and export, with potential to emerge as a global gateway for Australia-manufactured green steel and iron. It is expected to be operational by mid-2028, with construction of necessary infrastructure and road intersections commencing this year.
The Australian and Western Australian governments will each contribute $70 million to the project, primarily directed towards building essential infrastructure supporting hydrogen exports and renewable energy production.
Funds will be allocated for the establishment of a Clean Energy Training and Research Institute, focusing on practical, job-oriented training in renewable energy and hydrogen for Pilbara residents, including First Nations peoples.
CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council Dr Fiona Simon says: ‘We would like to congratulate the Australian Government, State Governments and industry for investing in the Australian Hydrogen industry through seven regional hydrogen hubs strategically positioned across Australia. These hub projects are being led by world-leading developers and partners, and will need continued support from all levels of government to address common user infrastructure, social licence and regulatory requirements. Hydrogen has a clear role to play in meeting Australia’s net zero ambitions especially for the hard-to-abate sectors, so we now need to focus on implementation and continue to share and learn from these large-scale projects to accelerate the transition and drive down the cost of hydrogen.’
The seven hydrogen hubs being funded by the Australian Government are:
- Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, NSW – Origin Energy in collaboration with Orica
- Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, SA – SA Government
- Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub, QLD – Stanwell with Iwatani Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Company, Marubeni, and Keppel Infrastructure.
- H2Kwinana Hydrogen Hub – NPAustralia
- Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub – TAS Government with partners TasPorts, TasNetworks, TasWater, TasIrrigation and the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone
- Townsville Regional Hydrogen Hub, QLD – Edify Energy with partners Siemens Energy, TAFE Queensland, James Cook University and Townsville Enterprise (TEL)
- Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, WA – WA Government
