$4.2m hydrogen park Gladstone to start construction in June

A hydrogen park was first touted in 2021 and construction will start in June 2023, with the park up and running by the end of the year.

Renders of HyP Gladstone from inside the yard. Australian Gas Networks has received development approvals to build a new site in Gladstone that will deliver renewable gas to industry, businesses and homes.

Australian Gas Networks has received development approvals to build a new site in Gladstone that will deliver renewable gas to industry, businesses and homes.

Hydrogen Park Gladstone was approved by Gladstone Ports Corporation for a site at the corner of Morgan and Rooksby St, Gladstone Central.

The $4.2 million innovative project has attracted funding from the state government and will see Gladstone become the first city in Australia where the entire gas distribution network will supply customers with a blend or up to 10 per cent (by volume) renewable gas.

HyP Gladstone will produce renewable gas in the form of hydrogen, using 175kW Nel C30 Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser with water and renewable electricity.

The $4.2 million hydrogen facility to be at the corner of Morgan and Rooksby Sts, Gladstone Centre.

The renewable hydrogen will be blended with natural gas at volumes of 10 per cent and distributed into the AGN’s Gladstone gas distribution network of 770 customers at homes and businesses.

“This is a key step in decarbonising existing natural gas supply and transitioning to a renewable energy future,” AGIG CEO Craig de Laine said.

“This is an exciting project that raises the benchmark for the domestic hydrogen industry of the future, building on our experience of safely and reliably delivering blended renewable hydrogen to our customers.

“HyP Gladstone is the first step in delivering the low carbon future of domestic gas supply in Queensland.

“We are grateful for the community’s interest and engagement on the project, and we are proud to have developed a design that meets their expectations and those of key project partners.”

Construction is due to start in June and the facility is hoped to be operational by the end of 2023.

The hydrogen facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said the project would provide research and training opportunities in the region.

“And importantly, serve as a proof-of-concept for further implementation of blended hydrogen gas projects across Australia,” he said.

The project was first touted in 2021, and has gained $1.78 million from the Queensland Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund and is a key step in the development of a hydrogen industry under the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024.

On Friday, May 5, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer and Mr Butcher visited Gladstone State High School where a new hydrogen training hub is being built.

A hub is also being built at Trinity College, alongside 32 Queensland high schools with more than 2000 students combined involved in the state government’s Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Program.

“It is exciting to see our kids build their dream careers right here in their own backyard,” Mr Butcher said.

The program broadens science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics knowledge to diversify and assist in accelerating future skills and opportunities towards the hydrogen industry.

Students will be exposed to learning experiences from production, to engineering, to storage to distribution and exporting, offering further career opportunities in industries including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, health, screen and media, agribusiness and more.

“Creating an environment where young Queenslanders can work and thrive in the workforce is vital,” Ms Farmer said.

“Not only does it help build the economy, it creates vibrant communities, with a strong, diverse and skilled workforce.

“Hydrogen is a huge industry and massive opportunity not to be missed.

“We have the potential to be a hydrogen superpower and Gladstone will be a big part of that.”