Australia’s Hydrogen Headstart program has shortlisted six green hydrogen projects, totaling over 3.5GW of capacity, for A$2 billion ($1.35 billion) in subsidies.
The initiative aims to support the development of the country’s renewable hydrogen industry, with the eventual winners set to receive “hydrogen production credits” (HPCs) in the form of quarterly grants over ten years, starting in 2027. The selected projects represent a range of electrolyzer sizes and end-use applications, including ammonia production, e-fuels, mobility, and sustainable aviation fuel.
The nominated projects, listed in order of electrolyzer size, are as follows:
1) Murchison Hydrogen Renewables Project (1,625MW)
Developer: Murchison Hydrogen Renewables (funded by Denmark’s Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners)
State: Western Australia
End use: Ammonia
2) Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Project (750MW)
Developer: Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco)
State: New South Wales
End use: Ammonia
3) Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (720MW)
Developer: Stanwell Corporation (electricity generator owned by the state of Queensland)
State: Queensland
End use: Ammonia
4) Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub (250MW)
Developer: Sydney-based utility Origin Energy
State: New South Wales
End use: Ammonia, mobility
5) HIF Tasmania eFuel Facility (144MW)
Developer: HIF Global (Chile-based producer of e-fuels)
State: Tasmania
End use: e-fuels
6) H2Kwinana (105MW)
Developer: BP
State: Western Australia
End use: Ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel, minerals processing
The Hydrogen Headstart program, managed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, expects to announce the winners in late 2024. The selected projects have until June 27, 2024, to submit their full applications in the second stage of the program.
Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency noted, “Hydrogen Headstart is a crucial step towards keeping Australia on the path to become a global hydrogen leader, creating new export opportunities, while helping to decarbonise our economy. The applicants shortlisted for the next stage provide us with the best opportunity at fast tracking our renewable hydrogen industry. It’s great to see the commitment from Australian companies who are looking to invest in and utilise hydrogen in their own decarbonisation efforts.”
