Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub announced at Stanwell Power

A green energy facility the size of a shopping centre will act as an incubation and acceleration space for pilot energy projects, such as hydrogen electrolysers.

Energy minister Mick de Brenni with Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke with Stanwell employees at the iron flow battery storage at Stanwell Power Station.

A new clean energy hub to be built at Rockhampton’s Stanwell Power Station was unveiled on Monday by Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni, solidifying future jobs for hundreds of the workers.

Mr de Brenni, Keppel MP Brittany Lauga and Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke announced $100 million in funding from the Queensland Government for the Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH).

It will be the size of a shopping centre on the vacant land when built adjacent to the existing power station site, and will include new energy technology from wind, solar, hydrogen to battery storage.

The hub will become a real-life, hands-on training site for Queensland energy workers to develop skills on renewable energy technologies as part of a partnership with CQUniversity.

A later stage includes a skills academy and demonstration centre open to the public to learn about new energy technologies.

Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni unveiled plans for the new $100M Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub at Stanwell Power Station.

Stanwell Power Station general manager Angie Zahra, who has been at the station for 31 years, said FEITH was a really important milestone and will work as a springboard into the transition of clean energy.

“The main aspect of this is ensuring there are still jobs for people in this region at this location into the future, well beyond coal,” she said.

The new hub will mean the 200 full-time Stanwell Power Station workers and 500 to 600 contractors already employed will remain employed.

“It’s about making sure there is still a footprint here into the future, Stanwell will still exist into the future here, which is a fantastic opportunity for regional people who have grown up here that want to stay here and keep their local skills here,” Ms Zahra said.

“Our aim is that the same workforce will exist moving forward into the new technology, the new clean era.”

Mr de Brenni said work will now be full steam ahead on the projects, with civil and common infrastructure works to start very soon.

“Today is an opportunity to celebrate a milestone, tomorrow we get on with the job of building the clean energy hub,” he said.

“It will produce hydrogen, road test iron flow batteries, maintenance teams operating out of here for renewable energy projects plus training.

“Over the course of the coming years we will invest here at this site to make sure we can maintain those jobs in resources, agriculture and manufacturing.”

Ms Lauga, whose father worked at the power station, welcomed the news the hub would be based at Stanwell.

“(There is) nowhere else in the state can this facility be located, it needs to be next to a regional community, next to Stanwell here and it’s wonderful Central Queensland is going to be getting the benefits of this great training hub,” she said.

Mr O’Rourke noted the power station celebrated 30 years earlier this year and FEITH has placed it to support at least another 30 years into the future.

“This is going to be great for our local economy, supporting jobs and opportunities all the way through,” he said.

“Our energy and jobs plan gives a clear way forward, we are making sure we know where we are heading and we are well placed.”

The hub is intended to train and upskill Stanwell staff and other industry workers, enhance apprenticeship learning opportunities and demonstrate emerging energy technologies for local students and the wider community.

STANWELL FUTURE ENERGY AND INNOVATION TRAINING HUB

Iron flow battery

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Stanwell and Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific to establish an iron flow battery pilot project which will be the first in Australia and largest in the world.

Twenty 12m-long batteries have already been delivered to the site to form 1MW/10MWh of energy storage – the first iron flow battery in Australia and the largest in the world.

Hydrogen electrolyser pilot

Stanwell will partner with green hydrogen company Hysata, providing $3 million and suppling the site and facilities for the field deployment of the electrolyser at FEITH.

Skills and training partnership

Stanwell and CQUniversity have partnered to develop a skills and training program for existing trades, technical and engineering roles within the energy industry to further build and transfer their current skills to renewable energy technologies, and expand current opportunities for apprentices, trainees and graduates in hydrogen technologies and battery storage.

Inside the rear of the new iron flow batteries on the site of Stanwell Power Station as part of FEITH.