Seven companies have been shortlisted to help fast track the development of renewable hydrogen in Australia.
The Energy Minister in Australia’s conservative Liberal-National government, Angus Taylor, said the government was committed to building a world-class hydrogen industry.
AAP Newsagency reports the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) received 36 expressions of interest, totalling more than $3 billion of renewable hydrogen projects.
That has now been whittled down to seven companies which have been invited to submit a full application for the next stage of the agency’s $70 million hydrogen funding round.
“This strong interest from industry reinforces Australia’s untapped potential in hydrogen and today’s announcement moves us closer to realising that potential,’ Mr Taylor said in a statement today.
In a separate statement, ARENA said the funding round was expected to play a significant role in supporting commercial-scale deployments of renewable hydrogen in Australia and commence the pathway to achieving the Australian government’s goal of “H2 under $2”.
The total grant requested across all seven is over $200 million, with a total project value of almost $500 million.
ARENA said all applicants had well developed projects that involve deploying 10MW or larger electrolysers, made up of various end uses including transport, gas injection, renewable ammonia production, power and industrial use.
Among the shortlisted applicants, there are four projects based in Western Australia, and one each in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria.
Successful companies will have until January 2021 to prepare their application.
ARENA expects to select the preferred projects by mid 2021 with construction commencing in 2022.
“A thriving renewable hydrogen production sector will not only help our heavy industry and transport sectors to reduce emissions, but will provide the platform for Australia to export renewable energy and reduce emissions beyond our borders,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.
The shortlisted applicants are:
* APT Management Services Pty Limited
* ATCO Australia Pty Ltd
* Australian Gas Networks Limited
* BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd
* Engie Renewables Australia Pty Ltd
* Macquarie Corporate Holdings Pty Limited
* Woodside Energy Ltd
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2 Responses
I have heard that many of these projects plan to use fracked gas to produce the hydrogen. Is this the case with these?
To be classified as green hydrogen they must use power from renewable energy, generql wind or solar.