It’s go for $100m Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct

The federal government is backing a Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct which has signed agreements for key design work and environmental impact studies with $100 million in funding .

The precinct will renew a disused 220-hectare industrial site to facilitate clean energy production, storage, transmission, domestic distribution and international export.

The Precinct will integrate clean energy production and storage with the Hunter’s Hydrogen Hub gateway projects and could include:

• Green hydrogen and ammonia production
• 1.6GW of production in five years
• The harnessing of recycled water capability
• And with its green electricity demand to underpin Hunter Renewable Energy Zone and Offshore Wind developments.

The Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody said: “The Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct is expected to support around 5,800 jobs throughout construction and provide new business growth and expanded career pathways for the region, adding an estimated $4.2 billion to the Hunter regional economy.

“The FEED and EIS studies will cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure and pipelines to berth.

“The studies will be completed by successful tenderers Lumea (electrical), coNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure, storage, berth and pipelines), informing future site enablement, site layout and land platform design, which will be used to prepare concept planning approvals.”

Work is expected to start in 2027 with the precinct operational from 2030.

The federal government is supporting these latest studies along with the procurement and delivery of enabling works for the precinct.

The project is being delivered in partnership with the NSW Government through a Federation Funding Agreement Schedule.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen said: “The Hunter has been industrial and economic powerhouse for decades, making the Port of Newcastle an ideal location for a clean energy precinct that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry and connect Australia’s renewable resources to the world.

Image: Port of Newcastle