The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is taking action to ensure Tasmania makes the most of its unique position as the renewable energy powerhouse of Australia.
Tasmania’s natural advantages and existing renewable resources mean we are perfectly placed to benefit from the emerging global hydrogen industry.
Globally Australia’s hydrogen export market is estimated to rise to between $2.6 billion and $13.4 billion by 2040 and our draft Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan, released today, clearly outlines our vision to become a world leader in large-scale renewable hydrogen production by 2030.
With future wind farm and pumped-hydro developments alongside our Battery of the Nation and Marinus second interconnector projects, Tasmania is well placed to be a major producer of renewable hydrogen long-term.
Reports show a 1,000 megawatt facility – equivalent to supplying around 1 million homes - could be feasible by 2030, creating an estimated 1,200 regional jobs, and supporting a further 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy investment in our State.
Renewable hydrogen production in Tasmania could be up to 15 per cent cheaper to produce than from the mainland power grid, and up to 30 per cent cheaper to produce than from dedicated off-grid renewable sources, giving us a real advantage.
With emerging industries in Japan, South Korea and China, Tasmania has received significant interest from a range of proponents seeking emissions-free hydrogen at competitive rates. The Tasmanian Government has recently hosted a range of proponents and international consortiums to progress discussions.
Tasmania is Australia’s leading renewable energy state, and is on track to be self-sufficient in renewables by 2022, making it the first state or territory in Australia with 100 per cent self-sufficiency in renewable power generation.
While the Hodgman majority Liberal Government is getting on with the task of creating jobs by investing in Tasmania’s hydrogen potential, Labor has only sniped from the sidelines.
Comments on the draft Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan close on 10 January 2020, with the final plan expected to be released in early 2020. The draft action plan is available from the Department of State Growth at https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/energy_and_resources/energy/hydrogen.