PRIME Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday announced that the federal government would invest $140 million in two hydrogen hubs in Western Australia as part of its Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs program.

“These hubs focus on regions where producers, users and potential exporters of hydrogen are co-located. It’s an ecosystem,” the Prime Minister said on Tuesday during an address to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

“We will invest $70 million in the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, joining with the WA Government on a range of local and international partners. And we’ll invest a further $70 billion in the H2Kwinana clean energy Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hub, led by BP Australia and Macquarie Corporate Holdings.”

The state government welcomed the federal support for the port-centred hydrogen hubs.

A statement from the WA government said it had invested more than $100 million to progress its hydrogen industry

Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan has welcomed bipartisan Federal support for a $140 million funding commitment towards two new hydrogen hubs in Western Australia.

“It is great to have Federal Liberal and Labor support for our green hydrogen projects in Western Australia,” she said.

“This $140 million commitment will supercharge our renewable hydrogen industry, helping to stimulate local demand for hydrogen to get production projects get off the ground.”

Ms MacTiernan said both the Pilbara and Kwinana projects present terrific opportunities for WA.

“It is disappointing that the Federal Government has overlooked the Oakajee project, but we will continue to make the case to the Commonwealth,” she said.

“Renewable hydrogen presents a big opportunity for industries right across WA to reduce their emissions and embrace a cleaner future, and our funding commitment to demand stimulation will help companies take that leap.”

The WA government said it has already budgeted $70 million to support the $140 million Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, with a range of local and international private partners.

The state government also previously provided $300,000 to support a feasibility study for BP Australia’s $252.5 million H2Kwinana Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hub.