Agreement finalised for $100m Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub in South Australia

Bonython Hydrogen Hub, hydrogen, renewables, South Australia, sustainability,

October 6, 2023

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The $100m Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub will become South Australia’s first large-scale green and blue hydrogen export terminal.

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.

The Port Bonython will become South Australia’s first large-scale export terminal for green and blue hydrogen.

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.

The South Australian Government called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from companies and investors to develop the current land around Port Bonython to create an export precinct and leverage renewable energy, fuels, and minerals.

Seven shortlisted projects have been selected with companies involved including

AMP Energy
Fortescue Future Industries
H2U
Neoen/ENEOS Australia
Neoen/Chiyoda/Mitsubishi Australia
Origin Energy
Santos

“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,” says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for Australia,” says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia,” says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

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.

“Investing in an Australian green hydrogen industry puts us on a path to become a renewable superpower,” says Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

“Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in our clean energy transformation and will create jobs and spur investment in regional Australia,” says Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

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.

“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,” says Premier Peter Malinauskas.

“Through our Hydrogen Jobs Plan, my Government is seizing the mantle to produce a world leading hydrogen electrolyser, power plant and storage facility,” says Premier Peter Malinauskas.

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.

“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,” says Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis.

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.

The proposed projects at Port Bonython represent around a $13 billion investment and could generate up to 1.8 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030.

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 hydrogen production.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

Source: Government of South Australia | Energy and Mining

Image Source: Government of South Australia