The location and facilities of the Port City of Gladstone are luring in hydrogen heavy weights from across the globe.
Hydrogen Utility (H2U) along with industry leaders and key stakeholders including Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), will discuss the future of hydrogen at the Gladstone Engineering Alliance's CQH2 Hydrogen Forum this week.
The Australian green hydrogen company plans on building the export precinct of H2U's proposed H2-HubTM Gladstone green hydrogen and green ammonia Project at Yarwun, enabling access to global markets for their products. As one of several mediums of transport for hydrogen, ammonia is emerging as an option as a fuel source for power generation, shipping and heavy machinery.
H2U's founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri said the Port of Gladstone was in an ideal location for green ammonia exports and would create an exciting hub in the global transition to decarbonized shipping fuels.
"We see great potential in this project driving the global transition to a new internationally tradeable, decarbonized energy," Dr Pigneri said.
GPC's Chief Operating Officer, Craig Walker, confirmed a Letter of Intent had been signed between GPC and H2U to advance discussions on ammonia export facilities.
"Hydrogen is an exciting opportunity for the region and GPC is readying to position Queensland into the global markets," Mr Walker said.
"As well as discussions with H2U, GPC is working with a number of other proponents to facilitate hydrogen trade in the region," he said.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the opportunity translated into jobs for the region.
"This is an exciting economic growth opportunity for Central Queensland creating jobs in a new industry as the world transitions to a decarbonised economy, creating future careers for many Queenslanders," he said.
The proposed H2-HubTM Gladstone project will be a major regional economic development, and the first, export-oriented green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing facility, using 100 percent of renewable energy from solar and wind developments in Queensland.
The two-stage project is expected to drive more than $4 billion dollars in investment and create hundreds of jobs.
"Developing flexible technologies for integrating renewable energies into green hydrogen and derivative products will deliver new exports and industries for Australia and drive further investments, economic growth and most importantly stable long term employment opportunities for generations to come," Dr Pigneri said.