Australian Gas Networks (AGN) has received Development Approval from the Gladstone Ports Corporation for Hydrogen Park Gladstone (HyP Gladstone) for its new site at the corner of Morgan and Rooksby Street, Gladstone. The innovative project will deliver Renewable Gas to local industry, businesses and homes connected to AGN’s Gladstone gas distribution network.

Hyp Gladstone will produce Renewable Gas in the form of hydrogen and blend it into our gas distribution network. This is a key step in decarbonising existing natural gas supply and transitioning to a renewable energy future.

Gladstone will be the first city in Australia where the entire gas distribution network will supply customers with a blend of up to 10% (by volume) of renewable gas. There are about 700 customers connected to this network who will be able to benefit from the renewable gas blend.

AGIG’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Craig de Laine, has thanked the local community and state government for their support of this decarbonisation initiative.

“This is an exciting project that raises the benchmark for the domestic hydrogen industry of the future, building on our experience of safely and reliably delivering blended renewable hydrogen to our customers. HyP Gladstone is the first step in delivering the low carbon future of domestic gas supply in Queensland.

“We are grateful for the community’s interest and engagement on the project, and we are proud to have developed a design that meets their expectations and those of key project partners.”

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the project would create training opportunities for Central Queenslanders.

“If successful, this project would provide significant research and training opportunities in the Gladstone region and, importantly, serve as a proof-of-concept for further implementation of blended hydrogen gas projects across Australia,” he said.

HyP Gladstone is supported by Queensland Government funding of up to $1.78 million from the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund and is a key step in the development of a hydrogen industry under the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024.

Construction is expected to commence in June, and the facility is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2023.