Federal government awards $140 million to two WA hydrogen hubs

The federal government has announced grants of up to $70 million each to two projects establishing hydrogen hubs in Western Australia.

The funding announced on Tuesday during the federal election was for hubs in Pilbara and Kwinana under the Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs program, which provides between $30 million and $70 million to support projects in seven nominated regions around the nation.

The two funded projects were: 

• A BP Australia-led H2Kwinana Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hub, with a total project value of over $252.5 million; and
• The Western Australian government-led Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, with a range of local and international private partners and a total project value of $140 million.

The WA government also submitted a proposal in November for a hub at Oakajee, but that was unsuccessful.

“Today’s announcement will embrace the competitive advantages of WA – plentiful low-cost gas, great solar and wind potential, and a skilled workforce in resources and fertilizers – to grow another huge industry opportunity,” said federal industry minister Angus Taylor.

“It is great to have Federal Liberal and Labor support for our green hydrogen projects in Western Australia,” added WA hydrogen minister Alannah MacTiernan.

“This $140 million commitment will supercharge our renewable hydrogen industry, helping to stimulate local demand for hydrogen to get production projects get off the ground.

Also announced yesterday were federal grants of $4 million each for Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative grants to Global Advanced Metals for a tantalum and tin recovery plant at Greenbushes, and to Mineral Commodities for “an Australian integrated graphite ore-to-battery anodes business based in Munglinup”.

Picture: Province Resources

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