Hydrogen Devonport Project

October 4th, 2024

Hydrogen Devonport Project

This project, located in northern Tasmania at Wesley Vale, is planning to supply renewable hydrogen to the domestic market throughout the north of the State.

Main proponents:

Countrywide Hydrogen Pty Ltd

 Main end-use classification: 

Hydrogen in mobility uses (as well as potential industrial applications)

  Status:

Under development – a final investment decision is targeted for the second half of 2024

 Estimated cost:

AUD$40 million (excluding power generation)
Other involvement: Production details:

5-megawatt (MW) electrolyser capacity with hydrogen production capacity of 2.1 tonnes per day

 Location:

Tasmania, Australia

 Announced funding:

Access to an AUD$8 million funding package from the Tasmanian Government through its Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme (GHPRS)

Project description

The Hydrogen Devonport Project would supply renewables-based hydrogen to the domestic market throughout the north of the State. As a 5 MW electrolyser project powered by hydro and wind power, it would be located at Wesley Vale (approximately 10 kilometres east of Devonport) where land has been secured.

The hydrogen would be produced via electrolysis with renewable power planned to be initially sourced from the State’s grid, with subsequent supply from a neighbouring behind-the-meter solar farm. Water would be supplied from TasWater’s network.

The project is initially targeting the heavy road transport sector as well as potential industrial applications, and power generation.

In support of the proposed mobility applications, the project would have refuelling station facilities that would be owned and operated by Countrywide Hydrogen under the company’s refuelling brand H2Co Energy.

In July 2023, ReNu Energy (the parent company of Countrywide Hydrogen) announced several milestone points in project progression (note: the project proponent advises that, while the announcement refers specifically to the proponents Brighton and Western Junction located projects, these milestone points apply to all its Tasmanian mobility focussed projects):

  • Wood and Countrywide Hydrogen have completed the selection of the technology, preferred suppliers, basic design, and capital cost estimates for the project.
  • Plug Power Inc. has been selected as the supplier of a 5 MW PEM electrolyser, designed for up to 2,100 kilograms of hydrogen production.
  • Fabrum Solutions Limited has been selected as the supplier of the hydrogen refuelling station, comprising a refueller hub and hydrogen tube trailer storage system.
  • Wasco (Australia) Pty Ltd has been selected as the construction contractor to work with Fabrum on the construction and balance of works for the project.

The project proponent has advised that the project is finalising Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) studies. Countrywide Hydrogen anticipates a final investment decision (FID) in the second half of 2024, subject to finalisation of FID requirements and project finance requirements. On this basis, commercial operations would be anticipated for late 2026 depending on equipment delivery.

The electrolyser element of the project is designed to allow for the installation of a second 5 MW electrolyser if demand were to exceed two tonnes of hydrogen per day.

In May 2024, Countrywide Hydrogen was awarded an AUD$8 million funding package from the Tasmanian Government through its Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme (GHPRS).  In September 2024, it was announced that a binding Grant Deed for this amount was entered into with the Tasmanian Government (subject to a FID for the project by 30 September 2025 and delivery of green hydrogen to customers). The initial hydrogen production and refuelling projects would include this project located near Devonport and a similar project near Hobart in the south of Tasmania

 

Reviewed: October 2024