All Systems Go For Kooragang Hydrogen Hub

 BY IAN CROUCH

The state government has given the green light to a major commercial hydrogen hub at Kooragang.

Origin Future Fuels will head up the $207 million green hydrogen manufacturing plant, with construction due to start mid next year.

It's expected the hub will deliver around 55 megawatts of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with the aim of scaling up to more than a gigawatt of capacity over the next decade.

Green hydrogen can be used as a feedstock in industrial processes and as a fuel source in the transport sector. 

Green hydrogen from the facility will be used at Orica's nearby ammonium nitrate manufacturing facility to help decarbonise its operations. Green hydrogen from the new plant will also be made available to transport customers through onsite and satellite refueling stations.

The government says the development will support the hydrogen industry in NSW by establishing a commercial-scale green hydrogen supply chain and a hydrogen refueling network for the Hunter Region and NSW.

A artist's impression of the hydrogen refuelling station at the Kooragang Hydrogen Hub

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.