BY JARROD MELMETH
The federal government have partnered with the Port of Newcastle to investigate the viability of a hydrogen hub in the region.
The commonwealth and the Port will each provide $1.5 million towards a $3 million feasibility study which will consider the best location in the Port for hydrogen infrastructure.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in the region on Monday to make the announcement and says the Hunter will be at the forefront of the move to hydrogen.
"Hydrogen is one of those great technological opportunities for Australia which is recognised all around the world. When I was in Glasgow recently it is understood, you want to get hydrogen, this is the place to get it.
"This is why we need to invest here in places like the Hunter, because if we make it work here, it will work in so many like regions all around the country.
"Our plans to move to a lower emissions future, very much have the Hunter at the centre of our thinking. Everything we do, every plan we have and every investment we are making, is making sure it works here in the Hunter," Mr Morrison said.
A number of key local stakeholders have signed onto the green hydrogen project aimed at making the Hunter Region a renewable energy powerhouse.
The University of Newcastle is among a suite of industry heavy-hitters, including Lake Macquarie City Council, Jemena and Keolis Downer.
Lake Macquarie City Council have revealed it is seeking funding from the federal government's renewable energy agency to purchase two hydrogen-powered garbage trucks and refueling equipment to test their capability and potential for future fleet rollout.
Council's Director Built and Natural Assets David Hughes says there’s great synergy between what the Port of Newcastle wants to investigate as a supplier, and our vision as a potential end-user of hydrogen.
"“Our existing fleet of 18 garbage trucks consumes 420,000 litres of diesel a year, emitting more than 1.1 million kilos of CO2 annually.
“Our investigations have identified that using hydrogen as a power source in our heavy vehicle fleet could significantly mitigate our carbon emissions, while also supporting the establishment and growth of locally based advanced manufacturing and service organisations," Mr Hughes said.
The federal government is aiming to set Australia up as a major global hydrogen supplier by 2030.
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| Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Port of Newcastle on Monday morning. Image: 2NURFM |
