Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier; Nick Duigan, Minister for Energy and Renewables, 13 May 2024
Countrywide Hydrogen set to be Tasmania’s first major green hydrogen producer
Countrywide Hydrogen, part of ReNu Energy, will become Tasmania’s first major green hydrogen producer after locking in an $8 million funding deal with the Tasmanian Liberal Government.
Premier and Minister for Trade and Major Investment, Jeremy Rockliff, said the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme announcement was the latest step in making Tasmania’s hydrogen sector a reality.
“This is a crucial step towards realising our vision of Tasmania becoming a leader in green hydrogen production,” Premier Rockliff said.
“Under this agreement Countrywide will produce hydrogen at multiple locations around the state, and supply hydrogen for a diverse group of users.
“Initially the project will target the heavy transport sector as well as potential industrial applications with all hydrogen to be sold within the local Tasmanian market.
“It will be part of the next great evolution of our economy, capitalising on our great tradition of zero-emissions energy production to create the renewables jobs of the future.”
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said this agreement was the latest win stemming from the dedicated Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan which had been paving the way for the establishment of this new industry.
“All up this agreement will initially see more than $60 million invested in our state over the next three years as part of the Countrywide Project, money that will flow into regional and local economies and communities,” Minister Duigan said.
“The first phase of Countrywide’s plan is to construct a hydrogen production and heavy vehicle refuelling facility at the industrial hub in Brighton, which will produce up to 800 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen.
“Once the Brighton facility is established, Countrywide wants to expand production and refuelling facilities into the north and north-west of the state. This will see the major road freight routes in Tasmania being serviced by a reliable hydrogen supply.”
Importantly, we’ve set up this scheme to stimulate both supply and demand for renewable hydrogen.
“Countrywide will receive funding on a per kilogram basis of green hydrogen sold to end-users to cover the gap between the cost to produce the green hydrogen and what end-users are able to pay,” Minister Duigan said.
“By supporting initiatives like this, we ensure a stable sale price for green hydrogen, bringing more stability for end-users and advancing our renewable energy objectives.
“With plans for the new Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub in Bell Bay progressing well through our $300 million commitment to shared infrastructure, today’s agreement marks a significant milestone in our green hydrogen journey.
“As the world looks to alternative fuels to power the future, we’re positioning Tasmania to be a key player in this expanding market.”
For more information on the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme and Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan go to www.recfit.tas.gov.au
For more information on Countrywide Hydrogen’s plans go to countrywidehydrogen.com.
Media release – Countrywide Hydrogen, 13 May 2024
Countrywide Hydrogen Locks In $8 Million Funding Deal With The Tasmanian Government
Australian renewable hydrogen project developer Countrywide Hydrogen’s (Countrywide) goal to be Tasmania’s first major green hydrogen producer has been boosted by the award of an $8 million funding package from the Tasmanian Government through its Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme (GHPRS), to be paid on delivery of green hydrogen to customers from Countrywide’s proposed Tasmanian sites.
The announcement is a material step forward for the delivery of Countrywide Hydrogen’s flagship Tasmanian green hydrogen project (Hydrogen HyWay#1), which has the potential to deliver Australia’s first end-to-end hydrogen transport ecosystem.
The GHPRS uses funds from the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund and aims to stimulate both the supply and demand for hydrogen by providing a payment per kg of renewable hydrogen produced and sold to cover the gap between production costs and affordable pricing.
This type of funding is a first of its kind in Australia, helping to deliver Countrywide’s green hydrogen at a price that competes with diesel.
By supporting initiatives like Countrywide’s Tasmanian Projects, the Government ensures a stable sale price for green hydrogen, bringing more predictability for end users and advancing the State’s renewable energy objectives.
Countrywide Managing Director Geoff Drucker is pleased at the support shown for the company’s Hydrogen HyWay concept and its projects in Tasmania.
“Our initial green hydrogen production and refuelling projects will be near Devonport in the north and Hobart in the south to enable road transport operators and their customers access to zero-emission freight services to deliver their emissions reductions targets.”
“With first production targeted for early 2026 at both sites, we have a book of customers ready to transition to hydrogen-powered vehicles in the heavy transport sector, and a Hydrogen HyWay model that can be copied and pasted throughout the nation.”
The funding package is premised on Countrywide Hydrogen producing hydrogen at multiple locations in Tasmania, with the project initially targeting the heavy road transport sector as well as potential industrial applications, and with the hydrogen produced sold within the Tasmanian market. The precise details of the funding arrangement will be set out in a grant funding deed to be entered into between the Tasmanian Government and Countrywide Hydrogen.
About Hydrogen HyWay#1
The Group’s hydrogen focus in Tasmania is on decarbonising the heavy transport industry and thereafter using the model for further projects across Australia. The Tasmanian hydrogen project (Hydrogen HyWay#1) can deliver Australia’s first end-to-end hydrogen transport ecosystem.
It is designed to incorporate two hydrogen production and refuelling facilities initially, one in the north of Tasmania, at Wesley Vale, 10km east of Devonport and the second in the south, at Brighton, 20km north of Hobart. A third facility near Launceston is planned to follow within 12-24 months of commissioning the first two facilities.
Each facility is designed to comprise a 5-megawatt electrolyser and a hydrogen refuelling station with two 350 bar dispensers capable of supplying up to 690,000kg of green hydrogen per annum, which equates to refuelling around 33 fuel cell trucks per day.
