Renewable hydrogen gathers pace with Wodonga deployment

The Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has reached financial close on its Hydrogen Park Murray Valley development in Wodonga, Victoria (pictured).

This comes after more than $51 million in government support was announced for the construction and operation of a 10MW electrolyser which will be eight times larger than the biggest electrolyser currently operating in Australia.

Funds came from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Victorian Government.

Located at North East Water’s local wastewater plant, it will initially be used to blend green hydrogen into gas networks to supply around 40,000 homes and 20 industrial sites with cleaner energy.

Mars Petcare Australia will purchase Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin certificates, generated by the project and accredited by GreenPower, to match the gas use of their local pet food factory in Wodonga.

Powered by renewable energy from a Victorian wind farm, renewable hydrogen will be distributed through existing natural gas pipelines at mixes of up to 10 per cent.

Construction on the project is due to commence in 2023, with the site operational by late 2025.

Victorian Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio said the project represented a significant step to build scale and capability for renewable hydrogen.

D’Ambrosio said: “Having the east coast’s largest electrolyser just off the Hume Highway in Wodonga will provide exciting opportunity for industry and renewable energy for years to come.”

Picture: ARENA