Gladstone hydrogen project expected to drive $4b in investment and create hundreds of jobs

‘Explosion of projects’: The Gladstone region has taken a giant leap toward being regarded Queensland’s renewable energy hub following a historic agreement. Full details on the deal here.

Thursday, October 7 may be recognised in the years to come as a historic day regarding Gladstone’s renewable energy hub status.

A Letter of Intent was signed between Hydrogen Utility (H2U) and Gladstone Ports Corporation, and other key stakeholders, to advance discussions on ammonia export facilities.

GPC CEO Craig Walker and H2U’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri overlooking the proposed site for future projects

The proposed H2-Hub Gladstone project will be a major regional economic development, and the first, export-oriented green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing facility, using 100 per cent renewable energy from solar and wind developments in Queensland.

The two-stage project is expected to drive more than $4 billion in investment and create hundreds of jobs and be completed in the second half of 2025.

The proposed site of a hydrogen facility in Yarwun, which is expected to create $4 billion in investment and create hundreds of jobs

Gladstone Ports Corporation CEO Craig Walker said hydrogen was an exciting opportunity for the region and GPC was readying to position Queensland into the global markets.

“As well as discussions with H2U, GPC is working with a number of other proponents to facilitate hydrogen trade in the region,” he said.

Gladstone Ports Corporation CEO said the company was working with a number of other proponents to facilitate hydrogen trade in the region.

H2U’s founder and CEO Dr Attilio Pigneri said Gladstone’s port was in an ideal location for green ammonia exports and would create an exciting hub in the global transition to decarbonised shipping fuels.

“We see great potential in this project driving the global transition to a new internationally tradeable decarbonised energy,” Dr Pigneri said.

“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.”

H2U’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Attilio Pigneri said his company saw great potential in driving the global to a new internationally tradeable decarbonised energy.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni, who is opening the CQH2 Hydrogen Forum on Friday, said renewable hydrogen was a multi-billion dollar opportunity that would create decent, secure jobs for Queenslanders, particularly in regional areas like Gladstone.

“We know Queenslanders have what it takes to create new industry,” Mr de Brenni said.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni Mick de Brenni said Gladstone was the powerhouse at the heart of creating Australia’s LNG export industry. PIC: Dan Peled

“Gladstone is a powerhouse that was at the heart of creating our LNG export industry and can do it again with renewable hydrogen, with new, decarbonised industry and the jobs for Queenslanders.”

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said Gladstone was an industrial powerhouse.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said Gladstone was seeing a new explosion of projects coming and that the town was set up to make the most of its opportunities.

“What we’re seeing now is a new explosion of projects coming to Gladstone and I think Gladstone is set up perfectly to make the most of these opportunities,” Mr Butcher said.

“What we want to now see on the back of these projects is a new pipeline of opportunities for local manufacturers to become part of the supply chain supporting the hydrogen industry and created good, secure long term regional jobs.”