The Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has announced that Hydrogen Park (HyP) Gladstone in Queensland, Australia’s first city-wide renewable hydrogen blending project has commenced construction.
HyP Gladstone is a small demonstration facility in Queensland designed to produce renewable hydrogen to start to decarbonise gas supply in Gladstone, and is supported by the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019–2024, as well as $2.72 million from the State Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund, marking an important step in the development of a sustainable renewable hydrogen economy.
The facility will produce renewable hydrogen using a 175kW electrolyser with water and renewable electricity that will be sourced from the grid and matched with large-scale generation certificates (LGC’s) that will be procured and surrendered as required to ensure the electricity used is renewable.
When operational, by early 2024, HyP Gladstone will supply nearly 800 homes and businesses in Gladstone and Barney Point with a blend of up to 10 per cent renewable hydrogen in their gas supply with no changes needed to appliances, connections or customer bills.
A key focus of AGIG is building capacity and capability in the communities it serves. As part of this commitment, AGIG is partnering with local businesses to deliver the HyP Gladstone project. Gladstone-based construction company Walz, has been appointed the project’s principal contractor, keeping jobs in the region.
AGIG is also collaborating closely with CQUniversity to bolster hydrogen-related skills, training, and STEM education in Queensland schools and among the wider workforce. Through this partnership, AGIG hopes to facilitate the seamless transfer of knowledge from research to industry, ensuring that the region can capitalise on the new opportunities in hydrogen, including greater employment opportunities for specialised skills.
Queensland Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, said, “Today marks another important step forward to our state’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse.
“Queensland is leading the charge in growing the green hydrogen sector and our government is committed to driving all the opportunities that this brings.
“That’s why the Queensland Government has committed more than $165 million to support renewable energy and hydrogen-related industry development, including the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund.
“Our regions are uniquely set up to support the shift to new, high-value industries like renewable hydrogen that will set Queensland up for prosperity for decades to come.
“With its port facilities, access to infrastructure and skilled workforce, Gladstone is positioned perfectly to tap into the renewables revolution.
“This project is a great example of how we are powering towards a cleaner and greener future and placing Queensland at the forefront of hydrogen production.”
AGIG CEO, Craig de Laine, said that the importance of renewable gas, including hydrogen, is becoming more prominent each day.
“Customers, including our large industrial customers, are keen to access renewable gas options such as renewable hydrogen to help meet Safeguard targets and to deliver Queensland’s low carbon objectives more broadly.
“HyP Gladstone builds on AGIG’s experience in renewable hydrogen project development in Australia. As Australia’s first city-wide project, HyP Gladstone takes a leap forward in showcasing the low-carbon future of gas supply in Australia.”
“Importantly, renewable gases such as hydrogen can be delivered safely, reliably and at very little incremental cost through our world-class gas distribution network.
“AGIG is focussed on delivering its vision to provide renewable gas to our customers across Australia, including in Queensland. This includes providing at least ten per cent renewable gas by 2030 and 100 per cent renewable gas by no later than 2050,” said Mr de Laine.
“We appreciate the Queensland Government’s ongoing support of HyP Gladstone, and the broader actions they are taking to develop a hydrogen industry in the state. Queensland is very well placed to benefit from this new low-carbon industry and the jobs it will create, including in regions such as Gladstone.”
“Initiatives like the Queensland Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and the landmark Hydrogen Industry Development Amendment Bill recently introduced to parliament are important parts of enabling greater investment in hydrogen and renewable gas infrastructure”.
Featured image: Artist impression of the HyP Gladstone. Image courtesy of Australian Gas Infrastructure Group.
