Ark Energy breaks ground on Townsville hydrogen hub

Ark Energy has released images of the ceremony marking the groundbreaking for its planned green hydrogen hub in Townsville, Queensland.

Townsville state MP Scott Stewart, Mayor Jenny Hill, partners, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders joined company executives to celebrate the start of construction of Stage 1 of SunHQ H2 Hub.

According to Ark Energy: “So much excitement about the catalytic potential of SunHQ to build the domestic hydrogen economy of North Queensland and bring forward the decarbonisation of Australia’s ultra-heavy transport sector by several years.”

Phase 1 of SunHQ will involve a 1MW PEM electrolyser, supplied by Plug Power, which will produce green hydrogen from a behind-the-meter connection to the co-located 121MWac Sun Metals solar farm.

Backed by a $5 million grant from the Queensland Government and $3.02 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) the hub will also feature compression, storage and refuelling facilities.

The initial hydrogen demand will be from five 140 tonne rated hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) which Ark Energy will source from Hyzon Motors and lease to its sister company Townsville Logistics Pty Ltd.

“The FCETs are expected to be the largest fuel cell trucks in the world.

“They will operate between the Sun Metals Zinc Refinery and the Port of Townsville, which is approximately a 30km round trip.

“The FCET’s will displace five existing diesel prime movers and avoid 1,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.”

Phase 1 of SunHQ will have a production capacity of 155,000kg p.a., with additional capacity for Ark Energy to supply green hydrogen to third-party customers and support their transition to a low carbon future.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed up to $12.5 million to support Ark Energy deliver SunHQ making it the first hydrogen project to be jointly supported by ARENA and CEFC.

Picture: Ark Energy/SunHQ H2 Hub groundbreaking ceremony