The Albanese Government has reached an agreement to invest $70 million in the development of the Bell Bay hydrogen hub in Northern Tasmania.
The project is expected to generate approximately 740 jobs, providing employment opportunities for energy specialists, engineers, technicians, as well as skilled trades such as concreters, plumbers, fitters, and electricians during the hub’s construction phase.
The Bell Bay hydrogen hub, located in Northern Tasmania, will have a production capacity of 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually. This output is sufficient to fuel more than 2,200 heavy vehicles for a year.
According to the federal government, the choice of Bell Bay is strategic, given its deep-water port and reliance on Tasmania’s 100 per cent renewables-based electricity grid.
The total investment for the project is estimated to be at least $300 million, with contributions from both the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments.
The project is scheduled to commence this year and is expected to be completed by early 2028.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasised the importance of supporting renewable hydrogen production for Australia’s future as a green energy exporter and a hub for green manufacturing.
“Bell Bay is a production and export powerhouse, backed by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and this hub will provide jobs, support new manufacturing and spur investment in regional Australia as the world decarbonises,” Bowen said.
Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan highlighted the significance of the Bell Bay as a hub for renewable energy generation.
Northern Tasmania is set to be the new home of renewable energy generation, using projects like this to attract huge investments in renewable hydrogen for use in Australia and supply to the world. Bell Bay is perfectly placed to be a world-class green hydrogen hub, with its established port infrastructure and highly experienced and skilled workforce,” Duigan said.
This initiative is part of a broader effort, with over $500 million in Commonwealth funding allocated for hydrogen hubs in various regional centres across Australia, such as Kwinana, the Pilbara, Gladstone, Townsville, Port Bonython, and the Hunter, aiming to create new industries and job opportunities in regional areas.
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