FIVE companies have signed development agreements to use South Australia’s Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub near Whyalla.
It is the state’s first clean hydrogen production precinct and is part of South Australia’s strategy to enter the global hydrogen market.
Preparations are also underway on the $593 million Hydrogen Jobs Plan as South Australia looks to become a low-cost hydrogen leader.
The five companies involved are Amp Energy, Fortescue Energy, The Hydrogen Utility (H2U), Origin Energy and Santos.
The development agreements are expected to provide a pathway for the project partners to secure a long-term lease on land at Port Bonython.
Infrastructure development at the hub is also progressing through master planning which will aim to strengthen common-user infrastructure solutions, including marine export infrastructure, electricity transmission and water supply.
There will also be a series of scientific studies to help understand the marine and terrestrial environment at Port Bonython.
The aim is to minimise community impact and safeguard local marine life, including the Giant Australian Cuttlefish.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said his government was “a leader in the global energy transformation”.
“With some of the world’s best wind and solar resources, we have a competitive edge to produce renewable hydrogen,” premier Malinauskas said.
Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson said the state government was getting serious about leading the green reindustrialisation of its economy.
“This aligns with Fortescue’s vision to step the world beyond fossil fuels while continuing to be one of the highest returning companies on the Australian Stock Exchange,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“As one of the state’s project partners at the hub, Fortescue is in the early scoping phase of its proposed Integrated Port Bonython Hydrogen project.”
