Media release – Nick Duigan, Minister for Energy and Renewables, 6 June 2024
A new era of energy for the former Bell Bay Power Station
The Bell Bay Powerfuels Project has reached an exciting milestone with the demolition of the former Bell Bay Power Station now underway.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan the project paves the way for a new future for Tasmania.
“Demolition works will allow ABEL Energy to commence construction of its Bell Bay Powerfuels green hydrogen and methanol project,” Minister Duigan said.
“Green hydrogen is a critical enabler in Australia’s energy transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“Today is a symbolic milestone in Tasmania’s renewable energy journey, removing the old thermal power station to make way for the future of renewable energy, green hydrogen production.
“Tasmania, as Australia’s leading renewable energy state has some significant competitive advantages to offer industry and the world.
“I am pleased that the Bell Bay Powerfuels Project aims to take advantage of Tasmania’s offerings to produce 300,000 tonnes of renewable, green methanol per year and provide new renewable energy generation in time to support projects of megawatt scale.
“The Bell Bay Powerfuels Project is the most advanced export scale green hydrogen project in Tasmania and it’s an exciting day to see the project progress, demonstrating commitment in Tasmania to our shared renewable energy future.
“I am confident that these developments will underpin the development of a world class green hydrogen industry in the state.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government remains committed to ensuring the success of projects like this through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
“The Bell Bay Powerfuels will help bring new investment and jobs in Tasmania as well as position Tasmania to be a key player in the expanding hydrogen market.”
Media release – Janie Finlay MP, Shadow Minister for Energy, 6 May 2024
ABEL progress welcomed, but where will the power come from?
Tasmania Labor welcomes the progress of ABEL Energy’s exciting project at Bell Bay, which stands to create hundreds of jobs and lock in the future of manufacturing in the state.
This project has tremendous potential, but it has been held back by too much red tape from a Liberal government that has been too slow to address critical hurdles for new energy projects.
The number one issue which is holding projects back has been a lack of available power, leading to the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to say on multiple occasions that our state is in an energy crisis.
No new renewable energy generation has come online in Tasmania for almost four years, and the timeline for the next project to start delivering power to the grid remains unclear.
Given this, where will the power needed for ABEL’s exciting project come from?
Tasmanian Labor is one hundred per cent committed to boosting renewable energy generation in Tasmania, and we stand ready to work with anyone to help provide certainty for more projects like ABEL’s.
