Oz AGN to Set Up Hydrogen Plant in Queensland

Gas infrastructure company Australian Gas Networks (AGN) will establish an A$4.2mn hydrogen plant in Gladstone as part of the company’s national hydrogen push into Queensland, the company said February 27.

The Gladstone plant will be Australia’s first renewable hydrogen production facility able to deliver up to 10% blended hydrogen across the city’s total 770 residential, small commercial and industrial customer base, AGN said. The project has attracted A$1.78mn in grant funding from the Queensland government’s A$15mn Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF).

“Gladstone is already home to Queensland and Australia’s east coast liquefied natural gas production, processing and export industry. The entry of hydrogen as another local energy arm will generate new jobs, education, workplace training, and regional economic growth opportunities,” the company said.

AGN expects construction to start in November this year with commissioning by October next year with the plant becoming fully operational in December 2021.

Last month, AGN said it has received A$1.28mn (US$0.85mn) from the Australian government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) to support the Australian Hydrogen Centre (AHC) to explore the feasibility of blending hydrogen into natural gas networks. The AHC has also received funding support from South Australia’s department for energy and mining and Victoria’s department of environment, land, water and planning.