Queensland will remain at the forefront of renewable hydrogen with the second round of the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund opening today.
The Queensland Government committed a further $10 million in funding in December last year.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund would help Queensland firms tap into growing global demand for hydrogen.
"We're investing in this industry to create more jobs in Queensland," the Premier said.
"We have an opportunity to position Queensland as a world leading exporter of renewable hydrogen in the future. That's what this initiative is all about.
"We're seeing growing demand for hydrogen and other renewables.
"We'll continue to invest in this emerging industry to create jobs and rebuild our economy in years to come."
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said proponents could apply for funding to develop their renewable hydrogen projects.
"After the success we saw from round one, which resulted in four projects across Queensland, we're excited to open another round," Mr Miles said.
"The commitment strongly aligns with Queensland's Recovery Plan to rebuild the state economy after the effects of COVID-19.
"Renewable hydrogen offers the opportunity to create a new high-tech industry delivering enhanced environmental outcomes and highly skilled jobs."
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said that the Palaszczuk Government was establishing Queensland as the capital for hydrogen production.
"This evening the Palaszczuk Government will be showcasing our State's renewables and infrastructure capital for hydrogen investors at the 2nd World Hydrogen Summit," he said.
"With our world leading solar and wind capacity, our next round of projects supported by the fund will join the previous projects to progress the development of the supply chain.
"In particular, this round will a focus on larger scale domestic applications ahead of more major steps toward export size projects.
"This round of the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund will focus on renewable technologies in the transport sector and the integration of renewable hydrogen into wastewater treatment plants.
"For this next round of the Development Fund we are homing in on these areas that are gaining commercial traction.
"Up to $5 million in financial assistance is available for round two projects."
Project proponents may include private sector businesses or companies, government owned corporations, and local governments.
Applications will be assessed in a competitive merit-based process for funding across two priority categories, which are:
- Application of hydrogen technologies related to mobility or transport sector projects, such as cars, buses, marine transport; machinery such as forklifts or farm equipment; refuelling infrastructure or hydrogen production equipment; and
- Integration of hydrogen technologies with wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), including WWTP hydrogen production components.
To be eligible, projects must:
- be located in Queensland
- fit within one of the mobility or WWTP priority project categories
- include infrastructure, plant or equipment directly related to the production and use of renewable hydrogen
- be able to secure all necessary planning approvals and licences and demonstrate compliance with safety standards
- use demonstrated commercial technology and solutions.
The fund supports the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy which was launched in 2019 with a focus on attracting investment and driving sustainable industry development.
Applications are open until 5pm, 2 June 2021.
