The Tasmanian Government welcomes the Australian Government’s $1.9 billion announcement today to invest in new and emerging technologies that will support jobs, strengthen our economy and reduce emissions.
Tasmania is well placed to take advantage and become Australia’s renewable hydrogen epicentre, which is why we are taking action through our $50 million hydrogen support package that saw 23 applications received through the Expression of Interest process, incorporating a mix of feasibility and infrastructure and technology projects.
Today’s announcement complements our Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan that aims to use our abundant existing and expandable renewable energy resources to commence production of renewable hydrogen by 2022-2024, and to be a global producer and exporter of hydrogen by 2030.
We are set to leverage today’s announcement as we have potential hydrogen hubs such as Bell Bay and Burnie, ideally suited to host largescale renewable hydrogen production facilities due to strong transmission infrastructure, significant water availability, road and rail infrastructure, and access to deep water ports.
While some other States are relying on coal-fired energy to produce hydrogen, Tasmania has the unique opportunity to use hydro and wind energy to produce emissions-free hydrogen – known as ‘green hydrogen’ – up to 15 per cent more competitively than other parts of Australia.
The Action Plan indicates a 1000 megawatt hydrogen facility would inject up to 1200 jobs into the State and trigger over 2000 megawatts in renewable energy development.
With Tasmania set to double our already significant renewable energy production thanks to our Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation projects, and renewable hydrogen industry growth plans, we are ideally placed to supply Australia with the energy reliability and security it needs, while injecting billions into our economy and creating thousands of Tasmanian jobs, many in regional areas.
Our number one priority is to create jobs, rebuild the economy and protect the Tasmanian way of life, which is why we continue to back our State’s renewable energy future.
We look forward to receiving more details from the Australian Government in coming weeks as we continue to implement our vision to be a renewable energy powerhouse.