Funding Announced for Hunter Hydrogen Hub

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

The State Government has announced a $45 million funding agreement to build the Hunter Valley Green Hydrogen Hub on Kooragang Island.

The project intends to reduce existing emission-intensive businesses' reliance on fossil fuels.

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe says the funding will scale up the industry, and will play a key role in transitioning NSW to support clean energy.

"The whole world is currently really in a race to find how to make hydrogen technology work, so things like the hydrogen hub are really going to make that work well. NSW is very committed to this," she said.

The Hunter is one of the leading industrial regions in NSW, contributing $50 billion to NSW's gross state product. 

Ms. Sharpe says the project will boost NSW's position as a major regional and international hydrogen supply chain.

"We want to be not just the first in NSW, we want to be world leaders. We want to set NSW up for the future to be leaders in relation to hydrogen technology. The hydrogen hub is really going to help us with that." 

The project is estimated to generate over 200 jobs in construction.

Plans for Clean Energy Precinct in Newcastle Unveiled

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

The Port of Newcastle has unveiled its concept designs for its 220 hectare Clean Energy Precinct.

This is part of the region's plan to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Port of Newcastle's Chief Commercial Officer Simon Byrnes says the future is looking bright.

"The plan sets out how we're going to bring in 1.5 Gigawatts worth of clean energy into the site," he said. 

"Then also the hydrogen, methanol and ammonia production facilities."

The precinct is expected to create around 5,800 new jobs in the Hunter.

Wednesday's announcement is phase one of the plan and hopes to establish the Hunter region as a "clean energy powerhouse".

This coming after Muswellbrook's Liddell Power Station which stopped generating last month, after more than five decades.

There is currently no expected completion date for the site.

Image: Port of Newcastle