Townsville Hydrogen Cluster Announcement Just the First Step
3 December 2021: Townsville Hydrogen Cluster Announcement Just the First Step
Solar Citizens today welcomes the announcement that National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) has named Townsville a hydrogen cluster, but says federal funding is still required to get local proposed projects off the ground.
“It’s great that there’s now some recognition from a federal body that Townsville is an ideal place to set up a new renewable hydrogen industry. Now what we really need to see is the Federal government name Townsville as a priority for hydrogen hub funding,” said Stephanie Gray, Energy Strategist at Solar Citizens.
“The Morrison government has allocated $464 million for hydrogen grants and Townsville is still not seen as a priority location for that funding to be spent, which is mind-boggling given North Queensland’s impressive solar and wind resources.
“North Queensland is perfectly placed to benefit from the world’s shift to a cleaner economy because you’ve got sunshine 320 days a year, wind that blows in the evening and minerals deposits needed for battery storage technology.
“A new report from Deloitte yesterday showed that Queensland’s economy can grow by seven percent and employ a million more people as we transition to net zero if governments plan and manage the economic transformation well.
“If we want to tap into Townsville’s incredible potential to be a clean manufacturing powerhouse then we need all levels of government to be showing leadership in this space and providing adequate funding.”
[ENDS]
Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006
