• The Stanwell-led Central Queensland Hydrogen Project has been shortlisted for the Australian Government’s $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program. 

• The Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project led by publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation is one of six applicants to be shortlisted for the Australian Government’s $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program.

• The CQ-H2 Project is Queensland’s only shortlisted project invited to submit a full application to the next stage of the Hydrogen Headstart Program.

• Stanwell is working with domestic and international partners from across the hydrogen supply chain to develop the CQ-H2 Project, Queensland’s largest renewable hydrogen project, with the view to exporting both ammonia and renewable hydrogen via its different carriers to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large industrial customers in Central Queensland.

Announced in the 2023/24 budget, the Australian Government’s Hydrogen Headstart Program aims to catalyse Australia’s hydrogen industry to take advantage of Australia’s unparalleled opportunity to be a global hydrogen leader.

Under the Program, projects seeking to produce renewable hydrogen or derivatives, such as renewable ammonia or methanol, at scale, can apply for a production credit delivered over ten years to bridge the commercial gap between the cost of producing renewable hydrogen and its derivatives and the market price.

The entire CQ-H2 Project involves the development of a hydrogen production facility at Aldoga, near Gladstone, the development of a hydrogen gas pipeline to transport hydrogen to Gladstone Port, the development of a hydrogen liquefaction facility and ship loading facilities at Gladstone Port, and the supply of hydrogen to an ammonia production facility at Gladstone Port.

The CQ-H2 Project is undertaking a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study, with a commitment of AU$117 million from consortium partners and government – including $15 million from the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund and $20 million from ARENA.

The FEED study represents the largest investment in an Australian renewable hydrogen project of its kind to date.

Commercial operations are planned to commence from 2029 with the supply of 200 tonnes per day of hydrogen to an ammonia facility.

Read the Queensland Government’s announcement here.

Quotes attributable to Michael O’Rourke, CEO Stanwell

“Stanwell, and its international consortium partners, have set out an ambitious strategy for what we will achieve as a business between now and 2035 and we are proud of our role contributing to Queensland’s energy and economic transformation.

“A key component of our strategy is to drive the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry.

“This Australian Government Hydrogen Headstart announcement reinforces that our hydrogen development strategy is on track, and we appreciate the Australian and Queensland Government’s ongoing support for the Stanwell led Central Queensland Hydrogen Project.”

About Stanwell Corporation Limited

Stanwell is a major provider of electricity and energy solutions to Queensland, the National Electricity Market and large energy users along the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Stanwell is developing a pipeline of renewable energy and storage projects throughout Queensland, finding cleaner ways to reliably generate and store electricity for customers and contribute towards the Queensland Government’s renewable energy targets of 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.

Stanwell is driving the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry and the use of other new technologies, including through the CQ-H2 Project FEED study underway. Stanwell was also recently awarded $69.2 million to develop a Central Queensland hydrogen hub working with a range of other proponents.

About the Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project

CQ-H2 involves the development of a hydrogen production facility at Aldoga, near Gladstone, the development of a hydrogen gas pipeline to transport hydrogen to Gladstone Port, the development of a hydrogen liquefaction facility and ship loading facilities at Gladstone Port, and the supply of hydrogen to an ammonia production facility at Gladstone Port.

CQ-H2 aims to deliver renewable hydrogen via its different carriers, to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large domestic customers in Central Queensland.

Commercial operations are planned to commence from 2029 with the supply of 200 tonnes per day of hydrogen to an ammonia facility.

CQ-H2 is undertaking its Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study for the project, with a commitment of AU$117 million from government and consortium partners – including $15 million from the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund and $20 million from ARENA. The funds committed also includes $82 million from consortium members Iwatani Corporation,  Marubeni Corporation and Keppel Limited.