The Tasmanian government has committed an additional $100,000 to the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone hydrogen technology cluster.
The government recently matched $100,000 which National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) previously announced to the BBAMZ as a successful applicant of its seed funding program.
In a statement, Tasmanian minister for energy and emissions reduction Guy Barnett said the support would give the initiative the best chance of success and that Bell Bay is an important location for developing a green hydrogen industry.
“Bell Bay is one of Australia’s strategically important locations for the development of the emerging green hydrogen industry and we are working with the federal government to maximise the opportunity for Bell Bay to be a national hydrogen hub,” Mr Barnett said.
“As an advanced manufacturing zone with abundant renewable energy availability, appropriate infrastructure, water availability, and port access, Bell Bay is effectively hydrogen ready and presents a perfect investment choice.”
Mr Barnett said funding for the BBAMZ cluster further strengthens the opportunity for industry development in this industrial hub, and complements the three feasibility studies being supported by the state government’s hydrogen funding program.
“Last week I attended an extremely positive Hydrogen Industry Network function in Launceston attended by nearly 60 businesses eager to be involved,” he said.
“Today’s announcement is also consistent with our Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan, which sets out the enormous opportunities for Tasmania’s renewable energy future by developing a hydrogen industry here, with production to begin by 2022-24.”
In June, TasPorts announced it had signed an option agreement for land and operating access with Fortescue Future Industries for the company’s proposed 250-megawatt green hydrogen plant at Bell Bay.
And in February, the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone was a successful applicant for the National Energy Resources Australia seed funding program. It was granted $100,000 to form a regional hydrogen technology cluster.