Townsville home to NQ’s first renewable hydrogen plant

Townsville’s Sun Metals Zinc Refinery will build North Queensland’s first renewable hydrogen facility thanks to a $5 million grant from the Palaszczuk Government.

State Development Minister Kate Jones said Sun Metals would build the new facility at its zinc processing plant after being offered a grant from the $15 million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF).

“Hydrogen has huge potential to pump millions of dollars into our economy and create jobs for workers in Townsville,” Ms Jones said.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said investments in new industries were essential to creating jobs as Queensland recovers.

“We know that to help our economy recover from COVID-19, we must invest in growth industries that will support local jobs,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This grant will help Sun Metals develop the first renewable hydrogen facility in North Queensland’s history.

“The project will establish the region’s first renewable hydrogen supply chain and depending on the final scale, will deliver more than 25 local jobs during construction and 12 ongoing jobs once it’s up and running.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart and the city’s “Hydrogen Industry Champion” said to have the citye moving on hydrogen early showed great promise for North Queensland.

“The work being done here in Townsville will give us critical information about the integration of renewable hydrogen for different applications – like the use of the renewable for heavy vehicles,” he said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said hydrogen was an exciting new potential industry that could create jobs now and in the future.

 “Hydrogen has huge potential in the future and Townsville and North Queensland is well placed to service the emerging industry,” he said.

Sun Metals’ CEO Kiwon Park thanked the Palaszczuk Government for its support.

“Sun Metals is delighted to start its hydrogen journey with the support of the Queensland Government,” he said.

“This first phase of our hydrogen project will only be the beginning of developing a substantial renewables hydrogen industry based in Townsville that we hope in the long-term will create export opportunities.”

“The hydrogen project is part of Sun Metals’ long-term plans for a totally integrated operation including our zinc refinery, solar farm and other operations at Stuart,” Mr Park said.

State Development Minister Kate Jones said the $15 million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund had attracted 23 expressions of interest, reflecting the significant opportunity for renewable hydrogen in Queensland.

“The fund is ensuring that Queensland is leading the way in renewable hydrogen development in Australia,” she said.

“That’s why last year we released the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024 to help position Queensland at the forefront of renewable hydrogen production in Australia by 2030.”

“The Queensland Government has committed to transition to a clean energy future and we are pleased to be supporting regional projects that promote innovation, deliver economic growth and highly skilled jobs for Queenslanders.”

For more on hydrogen industry development visit: dsdmip.qld.gov.au/hydrogen

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447