Government announces $140m Pilbara Hydrogen Hub
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The news: The Federal and WA governments have finalised a $140 million agreement to build a hydrogen hub in the Pilbara in Western Australia.
The numbers: The Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, slated to support around almost 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, is planned to become a major centre for hydrogen production and export, and an international gateway to Australian-made green steel and iron.
Construction on the road and intersection will start this year, with the hub becoming operational in mid-2028. A planned pipeline could enable hydrogen production of around 492,000 tonnes per year – enough to decarbonise existing ammonia production on the Burrup Peninsula.
The combined $140 million investment ($70 million each from the Commonwealth and WA Government) will help build infrastructure to support hydrogen exports and renewable energy production, as well as fund activities for a Clean Energy Training and Research Institute.
The Government expects Australia's hydrogen industry to generate $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050 and create over 16,000 jobs in regional Australia, including WA.
The context: The joint government announcement said the training and research institute will provide practical training in renewable energy and hydrogen for Pilbara residents, including First Nations peoples.
The Federal government's share of the investment is part of its Regional Hydrogen Hubs program, which is investing over half a billion dollars to build hubs at key locations like Kwinana, Gladstone, Townsville, Bell Bay, Port Bonython, and the Hunter.
What they said: WA premier Roger Cook said: “When it comes to producing and exporting world-leading products at a global scale, WA leads the way."
“This project will be WA-produced hydrogen on Asia’s doorstep, helping to strengthen and diversify our economy for the future.”
Minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen said: “This hub will bring a new clean energy industry to the Pilbara, supporting the region’s world-class industries well into the future".
“WA is already a global mining and export powerhouse, and it’s now primed to become a world-leading hydrogen supplier as well.”
The source: Premier Cook and Minister Bowen media release
