Australia – three states team up for $20m renewable hydrogen freight refuelling network.
Hydrogen fuelled freight transport could become a feature of Australia’s east coast frieght networks, with a landmark cooperation agreement struck between New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to establish a coordinated renewable hydrogen refuelling network.
The green hydrogen refuelling network was unveiled at an event in Sydney through a joint announcement by NSW energy minister Matt Kean, Victorian energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio and Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni.
Kean said the creation of a coordinated hydrogen refuelling network, including at least four refuelling stations dedicated for freight trucks located along Australia’s east-coast, was a critical early step in the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
Matt Kean, NSW energy minister said in a statement:
Renewable hydrogen will increasingly become a competitive zero emissions fuel option for our heavy transport sector, giving our trucking industry the opportunity to decarbonise their fleets.
“The governments of NSW, Victoria and Queensland are signing Memorandums of Understanding for the refuelling corridors, starting with the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.”
Victorian minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the cooperation between the state governments would support new investment and job creation in the emerging renewble hydrogen industry.
D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister said:
The renewable hydrogen highway will create new jobs, drive investment across the east coast and is a landmark step towards meeting Victoria’s target to reach net-zero by 2050.
“While the Commonwealth Government is failing to address climate change, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are building pathways to a zero-emissions transport sector.”
A notable absence from the announcement was a representative of the federal government, again sidelined by state governments stepping in to lead on zero emissions transport policy, when none has been forthcoming from the Morrison government.
Queensland minister Mick De Brenni added that growing Australia’s capacity to produce and use zero emissions fuels locally would provide an important contribution to improving Australia’s energy security.
Mick de Brenni, Queensland minister said:
When you consider the impacts of the COVID pandemic and international conflicts, it’s clear Australia must achieve energy independence, to shield our nation from foreign companies and foreign powers.
“Low emissions electricity and hydrogen fuelled heavy transport will sit at the heart of the renewable energy eco-system. Transport is the fastest growing sector for emissions and ironically it could also be the key to reducing them.”
The three governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the development of the refuelling network, with each of the New South Wales and Victorian governments to provide $10 million to help fund the construction of at least four renewable hydrogen refuelling stations between Sydney and Melbourne, expected to be operational by 2026.
The details of the scale of these refuelling stations is not yet known, but the Victorian government has indicated that their portion of the hydrogen refuelling network could support around 25 long-haul heavy freight vehicles.
The $20 million in funding committed towards the initiative will also support the purchase of some of Australia’s first long-haul hydrogen fuelled freight trucks.
Australian Hydrogen Council CEO Dr Fiona Simon welcomed support from the three state governments. Thanks for staying up to date with Hydrogen Central.
Dr. Fiona Simon said:
The collaboration between these three states will facilitate the uptake and use of hydrogen as a fuel for heavy transport along the Eastern highways.
“Transport operators and vehicle manufacturers see the carbon reduction potential in using hydrogen but there has been a number of barriers including a lack of refuelling infrastructure. Today’s announcement will help them move one step closer to transitioning to lower emissions fleets.
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Three Australian states team up for $20m renewable hydrogen freight refuelling network, March 25, 2022
