Iconic renewable hydrogen highway to connect eastern states – pv magazine Australia
Australia’s first renewable hydrogen fueling network will be built along the country’s busiest freight route, thanks to
to the collaboration between Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
The Government of Victoria will invest $10 million to build at least four renewable hydrogen fueling stations between Sydney and Melbourne, in a historic step towards decarbonising the trucking industry and achieving Victoria’s goal of reducing half emissions by 2030. The funding will be matched by the New South Wales (NSW) Government.
The $20 million funding will build the network and provide subsidies for Australia’s first long-haul hydrogen fuel cell electric freight trucks, leveraging greater freight efficiency through refueling fast, increased load capacity and autonomy.
The governments of Victoria, NSW and Queensland will collaborate on the development of the Renewable Hydrogen Highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, Pacific Highway and Newell Highway.
Transport is one of Australia’s biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25% of Victoria’s total carbon footprint. Renewable hydrogen has great potential to compete with diesel, which currently powers much of Victoria’s freight industry.
The highway program is expected to unlock new markets and create new jobs, boosting investment in regional and metropolitan areas along Australia’s east coast.
“The Renewable Hydrogen Highway will create new jobs, spur investment on the East Coast and is a historic step towards achieving Victoria’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050,” said the Victoria’s Energy Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio. “As the Commonwealth government fails to tackle climate change, Victoria, NSW and Queensland are building pathways to a zero-emissions transport sector.”
NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said “renewable hydrogen will increasingly become a competitive zero-emission fuel option for our heavy-duty transport sector, giving our trucking industry the opportunity to decarbonise their fleets”.
“NSW, Victoria and Queensland governments sign memorandums of understanding for refueling
corridors, starting with the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
Queensland Energy Minister Mick De Brenni said “hydrogen presents a huge opportunity for the state, including opportunities for emissions reductions and energy security benefits”.