Together with their major industrial partners, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is dedicated to building a green hydrogen production and export business in Tasmania.
Three feasibility studies financed by the $50 million Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund were submitted to the government.
ABEL Energy, Origin Energy, and Grange Resources were awarded funds totaling $2.6 million to examine the viability of large-scale green hydrogen generation facilities.
The Government’s $2.6 million contribution supported the following studies:
- Origin Energy’s export-scale green hydrogen and ammonia plant, which will produce approximately 420,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, is anticipated to be located in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone;
- ABEL Energy’s 100 MW project to export green hydrogen and methanol in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone; and
- The 90-100 MW green hydrogen project will generate process heat for Grange Resources’ Port Latta facility.
The major objective of the studies was to identify solutions for achieving the short-term objectives outlined in the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan (TRHAP), which includes a target for the local production, use, and export of green hydrogen in Tasmania.
The results of the three feasibility studies indicate that the production and use of green hydrogen in Tasmania is technically viable.
And learning what remains to be done to make these projects a reality is of equal importance, as it enables the Tasmanian Government, other project proponents, and the community to assist the green hydrogen industry’s growth in Tasmania.
Under the TRHAP, the government is implementing a number of key actions to support the export and domestic use of green hydrogen, including the development of a robust regulatory framework for the green hydrogen industry, the strengthening of Tasmania’s international partnerships, and an investigation into the use of green hydrogen in Antarctica.
Tasmania will be able to become a key global producer and exporter of green hydrogen by 2030 as a result of the suite of actions being implemented through the TRHAP.
With its sophisticated manufacturing zone, renewable energy availability, modern infrastructure, water supply, and port access, Bell Bay is an ideal location for a leading green hydrogen hub in the nation.
And the Australian Government is supporting this goal with $70 million in Commonwealth Government grant funding, which will be matched by the Tasmanian Government in collaboration with their GBEs and ministries, with proponents paying their fair share of infrastructure expenses.
This is part of Tasmania’s ambitious goal to harness the state’s infrastructure and renewable energy advantages to develop a successful export-scale green hydrogen production facility that supports local employment and industry.
With continuous collaboration between business, universities, other research institutions, and innovators, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is certain that Bell Bay will play a crucial part in the future of affordable, clean energy in Australia.
