Eastern Australia’s near-extinct ambitions to establish itself as a world hub for clean hydrogen have been resurrected after the federal government awarded $432 million to a plant planned by Orica and a rival project was unveiled by Port of Newcastle.

But the revamped plans come with a heavy dose of realism: Orica’s Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub has dropped any early plans for exports, while Port of Newcastle’s project envisages starting with gas-based fuel, before moving later to “green” production.