Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub (Archived – see Hubs Webpage)

Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub

Development of a hydrogen hub in the Illawarra / Port Kembla region is in the concept discussions stage.

Main proponents: The New South Wales Government is facilitating discussions among stakeholders to progress the concept of a hydrogen hub in the Illawarra / Port Kembla region	Main end-use classification: Under evaluation – early mobility project announced	Status: Under development – concept discussions,  early mobility project announced	Estimated cost:
Other involvement:	Production details:	Location: New South Wales, Australia	Announced funding:

(This description has been archived, with viewers referred to the HyResource Hubs webpage. The New South Wales Government has highlighted the Illawarra region as a major hub development opportunity. An overview of the development opportunity is included in the HyResource Hubs webpage, which describes major hub opportunities/initiatives across Australia.)

Project description

The introduction of ‘hydrogen hubs’ can reduce the cost of low-carbon hydrogen pathways by:

• sector coupling: intelligent linking of systems and products can create new services and provide additional value.
• de-carbonising existing supply chains: locating hydrogen hubs in existing industrial areas can pave the way for the displacement of fossil fuels in a cost-effective manner.
• co-location: hydrogen production facilities located in proximity to existing resource-based industries allows cost savings through utilisation of existing infrastructure and skills and enables economies of scale to be reached quickly.
• centres for industrial and academic excellence: the creation of hydrogen hubs can attract hydrogen-based industry, innovation and academic institutions.

The New South Wales Minister for Energy and the Environment has indicated that the Illawarra region is one of two key regions in the state that can benefit from becoming a green hydrogen hub (the other being the Hunter region). Hydrogen development activity in the Illawarra region is centred around Port Kembla, the principal grain export port for southern and southwestern NSW and facilitates the region’s significant steel and mining industries.

A specific objective of the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program announced by the NSW Minister for Energy and the Environment in early March 2021 is to develop hydrogen hubs in the Hunter and Illawarra, which will be supported by at least AUD$70 million of grant funding (subsequently increased to AUD$150 million). The development of green hydrogen hubs will also be supported by the NSW Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) under the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Development of a hydrogen hub in the Illawarra / Port Kembla region can benefit from the already considerable existing energy and related industries and associated infrastructure and skills in the area.

Development of large-scale (renewable) hydrogen production facilities would service initially domestic markets then scaling into potential export avenues through technology demonstration projects.

The New South Wales Government is facilitating discussions among several companies to progress the concept of a hydrogen hub in the Illawarra / Port Kembla region.

In March 2021, Coregas, a large Australian-owned gases company, was awarded funding in round four of the Port Kembla Investment Fund to develop a hydrogen refuelling station (for use with hydrogen-powered prime movers) at its existing hydrogen production facility embedded with the BlueScope Port Kembla steel works site.

The project represents a first step in support of developing Port Kembla as a hydrogen hub and in developing the broader hydrogen ‘ecosystem’ for Port Kembla and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven area.

 

Archived: August 2023