Edify Energy to build Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub at Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will today announce a contract to deliver a hydrogen hub that will create hundreds of jobs and set Townsville up as a renewable energy exporter. DETAILS

Edify Green Hydrogen 3D render.

The $137m Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub is expected to create at least 200 direct jobs in the region.

The federal government has revealed the hub, which will initially produce 800 tonnes of green hydrogen a year, will be led by Edify Energy.

The company has a long history in the region as one of the first businesses to sign up to develop the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct.

The federal government’s $70m investment in the hydrogen hub will piggyback off the precinct development, making Lansdown the home of the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub.

A hydrogen hub was first suggested for Townsville during the Morrison government.

Initially, a number of hubs were announced across the country, not including Townsville.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The city then fought for a hydrogen hub status, which was then granted.

During the 2022 federal election, Labor promised $70m in funding for a hub in Townsville.

The hub will produce enough to fuel more than 40 heavy vehicles a year in the initial stages, and then ramp up to around 300 tonnes of green hydrogen for domestic supply.

Then it will increase to 150,000 tonnes for export.

The hydrogen will be used at a local critical mineral processing plant and in zero-emissions transport.

It will also deliver a 17.6MW demonstration production facility with integrated renewable energy generation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said investing in Townsville’s hydrogen industry was “investing in Australia’s future”.

“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for North Queensland,” he said.

“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia.”

Construction of the hub will begin in 2025 and be complete in 2026, with initial commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2027.

It is one of six regional hydrogen hubs planned across the country, with another also expected to be built in Gladstone.

Minister Chris Bowen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said renewable energy was a “game change” that opened doors to green metal, fertiliser, power and supported industrial decarbonisation.

“The whole world needs renewable hydrogen, and regional Australia is ready to provide it,” he said.

“With its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources, Townsville is ideally placed to help power the world with Australian renewable energy and create jobs in regional Australia.”

The project has over $137 million of combined investment. The Commonwealth’s contribution is up to $70m, including $20.7m from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The remaining funding is being sourced from industry and the German Government.

Originally published as Edify Energy to build Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub at Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct