Australia’s Edify Energy is partnering with Siemens Energy Global GmbH to develop a green hydrogen production facility in Northern Queensland, called EGH2.
The project will use applied research conducted at universities in Australia and Germany to produce green hydrogen from solar and wind power. The HyGATE Incubator Initiative has awarded conditional funding of A$20.7 million (€16.4 million) for the project, which aims to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production through Australian-German collaboration.
Edify Energy was established in 2015 by Chief Executive John Cole, who had a decade of experience in renewable energy in Europe and the UK. The company has already overseen the development, financing, and delivery of 773 MWp of utility-scale solar projects and a 25 MW/50 MWh battery energy storage system in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Northern Queensland was chosen for the EGH2 project due to its abundant solar resources, good water supplies, excellent port access, and official support. The Queensland Government’s North Queensland Super Hub and Townsville’s Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct provide the necessary infrastructure for the project.
The partnership between Edify Energy and Siemens Energy combines world-class technology and deep engineering expertise with local know-how and an entrepreneurial approach. The project’s scalability is crucial as investors want to see green hydrogen production done at a reasonable scale before investing in larger projects.
The support of partners like the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is essential for small businesses in an emerging global industry. Austrade has helped connect Edify Energy to markets, especially where they did not have strong relationships. The HyGATE award has provided reassurance as the project progresses to financial close and opens new doors for Northeast Queensland’s renewable energy industry.
