Boost for Stanwell hydrogen export plans

Queensland generator Stanwell and Japan’s largest hydrogen supplier, Iwatani Corporation, will conduct a $10.4 million feasibility study into the development of a large-scale renewable hydrogen facility in Gladstone. ARENA is providing up to $2.17 million towards the study - which has also drawn support from a broader consortium of Japanese and domestic partners. These include Kansai Electric Power Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and APA Group, as well as funding from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The study will look into developing a facility capable of producing up to 36,500 tonnes per annum of renewable hydrogen to export to Japan from 2026. Stanwell and Iwatani’s long term plan is to scale up to 328,500 tonnes per annum in 2031 to meet forecast Japanese demand. Stanwell proposes to ship hydrogen in liquid form utilising liquid hydrogen shipping vessels. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hailed the development as further progress towards Queensland becoming a renewable hydrogen superpower. “Since we first announced the landmark partnership between Iwatani and the publicly-owned Stanwell, land has also been secured for a three-gigawatt facility in Aldoga, west of Gladstone,” she said. “Now the partnership is growing, with four new members, while a detailed study will progress the plans to tap into the massive potential energy export industry.” ARENA chief executive officer Darren Miller said the project represented an opportunity to investigate the potential of Australia becoming a significant exporter of renewable hydrogen. “Stanwell’s study presents a significant opportunity to accelerate the development of export opportunities for renewable hydrogen in Australia and to work with a highly credible consortium from Japan that has the potential to deliver a large-scale export project," he said. “Australia’s vast solar and wind resources and our proven ability to export energy products mean we are well placed to build a large-scale competitive hydrogen export industry in the future. Feasibility studies like this are a necessary and crucial step to build the case to attract the finance required for large impactful projects.” ARENA has also previously provided $913,667 in funding to Stanwell to investigate the feasibility of a 10 MW electrolyser deployment project at the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton to supply domestic hydrogen. Related: Federal funds boost CQU hydrogen work Adam Aspinall, Stanwell. Stanwell acting chief executive officer Adam Aspinall said Stanwell welcomed the opportunity to work alongside some of the industry’s best on the development of Central Queensland’s large-scale renewable hydrogen industry. “Stanwell is excited to be leading the development of Queensland’s next big industry. We believe hydrogen has an important role to play in supporting electricity security and reliability and reinforcing renewable energy integration and investment in Queensland,” Mr Aspinall said. “While there’s still a way to go for hydrogen to be commercial, collaboration with key partners across all parts of the supply chain is critical to helping drive down the cost of hydrogen technologies and supporting the development of the industry. “The idea that Queensland’s very own energy generators and ports could play a key role in meeting global hydrogen demand, as well as supply local industry, is exciting.”

Boost for Stanwell hydrogen export plans

Industry Queensland

Related News

QAL upgrade attracts $94m federal grant

Bridge damage under scrutiny after excavator mishap

Quick fire – industry news briefs

Get access to breaking mining news, now.