Australia Announces $43.7 Million Investment in Hydrogen Hub for Green Hydrogen Production and Export

The Australian government has confirmed a significant investment of A$69.2 million ($43.7 million) in a hydrogen hub aimed at producing green hydrogen for local and international markets. The Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub (CQ-H2) project is set to begin construction early next year, with ambitious targets to produce 36,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2027, and 292,000 tonnes by 2031 for export. This scale is equivalent to fueling over double Australia's heavy-vehicle fleet. The project is led by Queensland's state-owned power company, Stanwell, in collaboration with Japanese firms Iwatani Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Company, Marubeni, and Singapore-based Keppel Infrastructure.

Image source: Hydrogen Insight

The hub will incorporate up to 2,500MW of electrolysers, with an initial phase slated for commercial operation in 2028, followed by the remainder in 2031. The project will involve solar-powered electrolysers, a hydrogen pipeline to the Port of Gladstone, H2 supply for ammonia manufacturing, and facilities for hydrogen liquefaction and ship loading at the port. Large industrial consumers in Queensland will also benefit from green hydrogen. The Australian government has already committed funding to several regional hydrogen hubs as part of its initiative, projecting the growth of a $50 billion hydrogen industry by 2050, contributing to the nation's transition to a renewable energy powerhouse.

Source: Hydrogen Insight