Australia plans new hydrogen hub project at Port Bonython

The Australian federal government and the government of South Australia have finalised a A$100mn ($64mn) grant agreement to develop the Port Bonython hydrogen hub near Whyalla, South Australia, the federal government said on September 25.

The redevelopment of Port Bonython is expected to host projects worth up to A$13bn and generate as much as 1.8mn tonnes/year of hydrogen by 2030.

South Australia has abundant solar and wind resources, making it well-positioned to become a hydrogen supplier. The state government has a plan to develop a hydrogen industry in the Spencer Gulf.

The Australian government said it is investing over A$0.5bn in regional hydrogen hubs, including in Pilbara, Kwinana, Gladstone, Townsville, the Hunter, Bell Bay, and Upper Spencer Gulf.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese said that the global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for Australia. “We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia," he said.