Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub study backed by INPEX, CSIRO
A new study into Darwin’s hydrogen potential will be led and financially backed by an oil and gas giant, as well as CSIRO.
Northern Territory
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Two oil and gas giants will team up with the federal government’s science agency to explore the future of a hydrogen market in Darwin.
The joint study between INPEX, Santos, global energy consultancy firm Xodus and CSIRO will run over 18 months, probing the possibility of “clean hydrogen” solutions for domestic and international markets.
The research team, known as the Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub, has been kickstarted with $1m of federal government funding.
INPEX general manager of the Northern Territory Stuart Knowles said his company was leading the study and also financially backing it, but would not disclose by how much.
Mr Knowles brushed off criticisms an oil and gas industry-led study would not be environmentally sound.
“The industry is leading the reduction in emissions,” he said.
“Industry and governments working together is critical to achieving our net zero 2050 ambitions.
“Importantly, this INPEX-led study has the potential to secure a clean energy future for the Northern Territory through identifying new market opportunities in hydrogen here in the Territory.”
Chief Minster Natasha Fyles said the research would complement the government’s work to establish a carbon capture and storage common-user hub at Middle Arm, a project which INPEX, Santos and the CSIRO are also involved in.
“We know we need to decarbonise, we know we need reliable energy as we step forward,” she said.
“We can’t simply flick a switch to renewables tomorrow.
“This opportunity here with the Hydrogen Hub is around the research to understand what can we produce in the Northern Territory that can create jobs for industry here, but also export that energy offshore.”
Ms Fyles would also not put to rest speculation that a huge announcement on the Middle Arm precinct was imminent.
“We’re starting to identify interested parties that would like to go to that site,” she said.
“You will be see decisions over the coming weeks, months and years around Middle Arm.”
The ‘Sustainable Development Precinct’ has been backed by $1.5bn of federal funding and is expected to create 20,000 ‘low-emission’ jobs.
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