NT Government’s renewable hydrogen masterplan to pave way for $4bn in Territory investment

The Territory government will release its Renewable Hydrogen Master Plan today, paving the way for up to $4bn in investment in the Territory in one of the fast emerging green industries.

THE Territory government will release its Renewable Hydrogen Master Plan on Wednesday, paving the way for up to $4bn in investment in the Territory in one of the fast emerging green industries.

The masterplan focuses on renewable, green hydrogen and zero greenhouse gas emissions.

It builds on the government’s 2019 Renewable Hydrogen Strategy’s vision to be a world-scale producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen.

The Territory government is releasing its Renewable Hydrogen Master Plan, paving the way for up to $4bn in investment in the Territory in one of the fast emerging green industries

Ms Lawler said the Territory was well placed to develop a renewable hydrogen industry with large areas of land, plenty of sunlight, proximity to export markets, and an established world-scale energy production and export industry.

Ms Lawler compared the Territory’s hydrogen sector to the export LNG market, for its capacity to deliver jobs and economic growth.

Ms Lawler said this meant jobs for Territorians, with the sector expected to generate more than $3.7bn into the Northern Territory economy.

The Master Plan charts a pathway for the Territory government to accelerate the ­development of a renewable hydrogen industry and outlines the steps to secure private sector investment.

This starts with the demonstration phase involving government support through grants, project trial assistance or research and development funding.

The targeted application phase will see hydrogen production and end-use technologies developed to the point that renewable hydrogen is available for small-scale and niche applications where it can replace existing ­alternatives.

The final phase, large-scale production for export, will see production and use technologies sufficiently developed so they are cost-competitive with alternatives and there is large-scale demand for renewable hydrogen.

Ms Lawler said there was a community expectation that environmental issues were treated seriously.

“It’s an expectation of the public, particularly the younger generation feel more and more concern around climate change, more and more concern around environmental ­issues,” she said.

“This is an exciting new ­industry that is set to create more than 2500 new jobs and generate $3.7bn into our economy – creating further opportunities for innovative projects, contributing to our emissions reductions, and bringing more private investment to the Northern Territory.

“It explores opportunities to decarbonise regional and ­remote areas using emerging hydrogen technologies.”