A Central Queensland hydrogen facility could be powered by a solar farm built in the same locality, the Premier revealed

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told State parliament on Wednesday Central Queensland was not just in the race for clean energy, it was in the lead. Read about her major announcement here;

Renewable energy powerhouses tasked with spearheading separate projects like a solar farm and hydrogen facility in the Gladstone region have joined forces under a groundbreaking agreement.

In an address to Queensland parliament, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a Memorandum Of Understanding had been signed by global renewables giant Acciona and the State-owned Stanwell Corp.

The MOU means that Queensland’s largest solar farm could provide renewable power to the hydrogen facility in the future.

Ms Palaszczuk said the agreement was an important step forward in the State Government’s plan to make Queensland a renewable energy superpower.

“We know there’s growing demand for renewable hydrogen in burgeoning export markets like Japan and South Korea,” she said.

“But to create renewable hydrogen, we need other reliable sources of renewable energy.

“Since announcing the landmark partnership between Iwatani and Stanwell, land has been secured at Aldoga and a $10.4 million feasibility study has been announced.

“Today’s agreement means that a Central Queensland-based hydrogen facility could soon be fuelled with solar power, also produced in Central Queensland.

“This is a testament to the great potential we have as a renewables superpower into the future.”

“We’re investing in projects like this because we know that more renewables mean more jobs.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she had been advised the Stanwell Iwatani hydrogen project had the potential to create more than 5000 new jobs over 30 years, with strong flow-on benefits for workers in a range of sectors.

“For decades people have talked about Queensland’s future as a hydrogen superpower. The future is here,” the Premier said.

“Queensland is not just in the race for clean energy, we’re in the lead.

“We’ll continue to invest in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing to create jobs and capitalise on the green energy revolution.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the MOU signified further progress for the Stanwell-led CQ-H2 consortium.

“This large-scale facility could export renewable hydrogen to Japan as well as supply large industrial customers in Central Queensland,” Mr Miles said.

“ACCIONA Energia is one of the world’s major international renewable companies and has plans to develop Queensland’s largest solar project on land owned by the Queensland Government within the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA).

“Under the MoU, a direct connection could be established between ACCIONA’s proposed Aldoga Solar Farm and the hydrogen facility proposed by the Stanwell-led consortium.

“A direct connection would see Queensland’s largest solar project providing clean and renewable energy to Queensland’s largest renewable hydrogen project.

“Agreements like this come with a world of opportunities, not only to grow Queensland’s renewables and hydrogen industry, but to secure high-skilled jobs for Queenslanders.”

CQ-H2 is to be delivered by a consortium of Australian and international partners including Japanese companies Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kansai Electric Power Company and Marubeni, and Australian energy infrastructure business APA Group.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the agreement marked an important milestone in advancing a thriving and vibrant renewable hydrogen ecosystem in Central Queensland.

“Central Queensland has established itself as a renewables powerhouse and the region plays an important role in continuing our progress towards achieving our government’s Queensland Renewable Energy Target by 2030,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The Aldoga Solar Farm will create up to 350 jobs during construction and 14 ongoing jobs once operational and it will be delivered under our Buy Queensland procurement policy, ensuring it supports quality jobs and local content, in turn backing local businesses in the supply chain.

“The MoU between Stanwell and ACCIONA is extremely significant because at its peak, the CQ-H2 project will provide more than 5000 new jobs over its 30-year life with flow-on benefits to construction, utilities, heavy manufacturing and local service industries.”

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said Gladstone’s prime location, established industrial sector and skilled workforce continue to be a major drawcard for investment in the region.

“Gladstone is being recognised globally as an ideal location for growing industries such as renewables, hydrogen and associated manufacturing hubs,” he said.

“ACCIONA and Stanwell’s Japanese consortium partners are world leaders in their respective fields, and they’re all coming to Gladstone to drive development of these key industries of the future.”

Mr Butcher said the agreement between Stanwell and ACCIONA demonstrated the important role the Gladstone SDA plays in driving industry growth in the region.