Jeremy Rockliff, Premier and Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy and Renewables,
The Tasmanian Liberal Government welcomes today's funding announcement by the Australian Government of up to $70 million to help make Bell Bay a national green hydrogen hub.
This green hydrogen hub will be part of the Australian Government's expanded $464 million regional program and will maximise the opportunities for Bell Bay, and Tasmania, to be a leader in this exciting energy source.
The Tasmanian Government has always believed Bell Bay presents as a perfect location for a nation-leading green hydrogen hub with its advanced manufacturing zone, renewable energy availability, advanced infrastructure, water availability and port access.
The newly formed Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania, our Government businesses, hydrogen proponents and hydrogen support partners worked together on the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub Project submission which was presented to the Australian Government late last year.
This investment will have matching support from the Tasmanian Government working with our GBEs and departments, with proponents paying their fair share of infrastructure costs.
This renewable hydrogen hub is in line with our Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan which sets the ambitious goal of Tasmania as a globally significant exporter of green hydrogen from 2030.
The hub will establish the right environment and infrastructure necessary for operations to start unlocking the potential for large-scale green hydrogen exports and supporting domestic market activation in Tasmania and on the mainland.
Tasmania can play a key role in the national and international transition to green energy, while delivering new jobs and investment to the State.
There is already significant interest in Bell Bay from some of Australia's largest potential hydrogen producers, including Fortescue Future Industries, Woodside Energy, Origin Energy and ABEL Energy, and we thank these companies for their support for this successful bid.
Tasmania has a bold plan to leverage the State's unique advantages of infrastructure and renewable energy to create a thriving export-scale green hydrogen production facility that supports local jobs and manufacturing.
With ongoing collaboration between industry, universities, other research institutions and innovators, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is confident Bell Bay will play a pivotal role in Australia's affordable clean energy future.
