New catamaran in $18m ammonia hydrogen proposal for Whitsundays

The 172-passenger catamaran is the cherry on top of an $18 million ammonia hydrogen renewables fuel project penned for the Whitsundays. Read what else could be coming.

The $7.5m 29m catamaran that Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies hopes to build as part of their proposed $18 million ammonia hydrogen fuel project in the Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied

Two renewable energy powerhouses want to spend upwards of $18 million to roll out an ammonia hydrogen fuel project in the Whitsundays

Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies recently secured Whitsunday Regional Council’s support for their proposal which includes a 29m catamaran.

Documents state the project requires a $4 million grant to proceed.

“The 18 month project establishes ammonia and hydrogen at two key transportation hubs in the region, the Whitsunday Coast Airport and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal,” documents state.

Elvin Group Renewables' and Hydrogen Integration Technologies' proposed $18 million ammonia hydrogen project in the Whitsunday region would include pressurised storage bunkers as well as a specialised transport vehicle. Picture: Supplied

Pressurised ammonium storage bunkers would be installed at each location requiring annual inspection.

“At Shute Harbour, a specially designed transportation vehicle will move the ammonia to the docks and dispense it to vessels,” documents state, adding there would be a “specially designed Cracker” at the airport to convert ammonia into hydrogen.

Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies is asking the Whitsunday Regional Council to support its $18 million ammonia hydrogen fuel project in the Whitsundays. Pictured is where the companies plan to build their ammonia storage facility at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. Picture: Supplied

“The project also … launch(es) the region’s first zero emissions sailing catamaran, designed and manufactured in Australia from Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.

“The Cat will be a 29m long catamaran and will transport up to 172 passengers per trip from the mainland to the Whitsunday Islands.

The $7.5m 29m catamaran that Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies hopes to build as part of their proposed $18 million ammonia hydrogen fuel project in the Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied

“(It) will be fuelled with green ammonia and will convert this to hydrogen on-board and will be owned and operated by Explore Group.”

Behind the renewable energy technology which will run the 29m catamaran. Picture: Supplied

The proposal states the project aligns with the council’s “progressive” vision for the Whitsundays to achieve “carbon neutrality by 2050”.

It is estimated the project will cut 34.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions and create up to 50 jobs.

The companies have also proposed to supply three hydrogen-operated generators each valued at up to $950,000, as a well as a trial hydrogen-powered car worth $55,000, to the council.

Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies is hoping to supply a hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo worth at least $55,000 to the Whitsunday Regional Council as part of its $18m project. Picture: Supplied

Whitsunday councillors unanimously voted to undertake joint advocacy with Elvin and Hydrogen Integration Technologies to secure funding for the project, which includes writing a letter of support, during the last ordinary meeting of council.

Their support follows Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently announcing a $12 billion pumped hydro-electric project in the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay that would flood more than 50 homes, as part of its Hydrogen Industry Strategy.