Lion Energy secures approval for hydrogen hub at Port of Brisbane

Australian energy company Lion Energy has obtained development approval from Queensland state planning agency SARA for its hydrogen generation and refuelling hub project situated at the Port of Brisbane (PoB), it said on March 20.

It has also received the Environmental Authority Permit P-EA-100510872, under which it is authorised to produce more than 200 tonnes/year of hydrogen. 

The government's approval represents a milestone for the project, paving the way for its transition to the construction phase. The hydrogen hub is positioned to cater to heavy mobility fleets, with a primary focus on supplying hydrogen to domestic public bus fleets, truck fleets, and fuel cell gensets for the construction and mining industries, Lion said.

“The location at PoB is highly strategic due to its proximity to the majority of Brisbane 70+ bus depots, and also the significant heavy vehicle traffic to and from the Port. Our site will initially produce and dispense some 420kg green hydrogen per day, but with the ability to quickly double production to respond to increasing demand,” said Tom Soulsby, Lion’s executive chairman.

Lion is poised to commence construction in the second quarter of 2024, with the facility's commissioning slated for the second half of 2024.