The Australian Government has announced an additional $150 million in funding towards the development of two clean hydrogen industrial hubs in regional sites in Australia, with the government nominating Darwin as one of seven prospective locations.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel of the future and hydrogen hubs, have been identified by the national hydrogen strategy as a priority measure. This will create economies of scale by co-locating hydrogen producers, users and exporters in one location.
"Our plan to invest and develop low emissions industries will mean more jobs for Australian workers, particularly in our regions, cheaper energy for businesses and lower emissions,” - Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The now $464 million grant program provides up to $3 million grants for project consortia to initially progress feasibility and design work, and up to $70 million towards the roll-out of projects. Applications for the Hub Implementation Round 1 Grants open on 28 September and close 22 November 2021.
In addition to Darwin, the six other prospective sites are:
- Eyre Peninsula in South Australia
- Gladstone in Queensland
- Latrobe Valley in Victoria
- Hunter Valley in New South Wales
- Pilbara in Western Australia
- Bell Bay in Tasmania.