The Illawarra is ideally positioned for the creation of a Hydrogen Hub for this state as part of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. This is the message from A Joint Submission by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Illawarra & RDA Sydney.
The report indicates how an Illawarra Hydrogen Hub would leverage existing infrastructure for the production and distribution of hydrogen at Port Kembla, initially building and servicing the demand for the domestic market whilst delivering export capacity and capability by 2030.
The CSIRO has identified fifty-six Australian hydrogen-related projects; of these, only four are currently operating, & nine are under construction.
The proximity of Port Kembla to Sydney would permit fast and easy access to the largest transport market in NSW, as well as renewable energy stakeholders, key peak industry bodies and major events – providing a chance to connect, target and convert international investors into partners for NSW and the Illawarra.
The location of a Hydrogen Hub in the Illawarra would provide an immediate opportunity to use hydrogen in existing industrial processes.