Newcastle Port and MHI Collaborate on Clean Energy Ventures to establish Newcastle's Hydrogen Center as the Future Port
In a significant move towards a clean energy future, the Port of Newcastle and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have announced a partnership to develop a large-scale renewable hydrogen hub within the Clean Energy Precinct in Newcastle. Known as the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, the project aims to produce approximately 4,700 tonnes of renewables-based hydrogen annually, powered by a 50-megawatt electrolyser [1].
The hub is expected to serve industrial processes such as ammonia production, primarily involving the company Orica. The project has completed its Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and is ready to proceed to detailed design, pending a final investment decision (FID), with a targeted commissioning date around 2028 [1].
The partnership has garnered substantial support from both the Australian and New South Wales Governments. A joint commitment of AUD $70 million has been made, including funds from the Regional Hydrogen Hubs Program and the New South Wales Hydrogen Hubs Initiative. Additionally, the 2022-23 federal budget allocated AUD $100 million to support the Port of Newcastle and the Hunter region to prepare for hydrogen readiness [1].
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with its expertise in shipbuilding and hydrogen technologies, brings valuable skills to the table, aligning well with the industrial and port precinct’s ambitions. MHI is involved in various global hydrogen and clean energy projects, but this direct collaboration for the Newcastle hub focuses on infrastructure development and integrating hydrogen production to support regional industry and export potential [1][2].
The vision for the project is twofold. First, it aims to foster technological advancement, generate jobs, and create educational pathways for the clean energy industry. Second, it aspires to position the Hunter community as the best place to work in the clean energy industry, both in Australia and across the world. Furthermore, the partnership may involve further collaboration with other clean energy projects in the port area across a range of energy vectors [1].
For more information on the Clean Energy Precinct project, visit the Clean Energy Precinct website. To stay updated on the latest news shaping the hydrogen market, visit the provided website.
References: [1] Port of Newcastle. (n.d.). Port of Newcastle and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announce collaboration to enable a clean energy economy in the Hunter Region. Retrieved from https://www.portofnewcastle.com.au/about-us/news-and-media/news/port-of-newcastle-and-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-announce-collaboration-to-enable-a-clean-energy-economy-in-the-hunter-region/ [2] Australian Hydrogen Council. (n.d.). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to collaborate with Port of Newcastle on hydrogen hub. Retrieved from https://www.hydrogen.org.au/news/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-to-collaborate-with-port-of-newcastle-on-hydrogen-hub/
- This partnership between the Port of Newcastle and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is aiming to leverage MHI's expertise in hydrogen technologies to develop a large-scale renewable hydrogen hub, producing approximately 4,700 tonnes of renewables-based hydrogen annually.
- The project, known as the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, is expected to primarily serve industrial processes such as ammonia production, with Orica being the main company involved.
- The hub is designed to contribute to addressing climate-change by embracing clean energy and promoting the use of renewable-energy, with the potential to export hydrogen to other regions.
- Science and technology play a significant role in the project, as it aims to foster technological advancement, generate jobs, and create educational pathways for the clean energy industry.
- The financing for the project includes a joint commitment of AUD $70 million from the Australian and New South Wales Governments, with additional support from the 2022-23 federal budget.
