Goondiwindi is one step closer to having a regional hydrogen economy, fuelled by sunshine and recycled water.
The Queensland government is providing $2 million funding for the project, from round two of the $35 million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF).
Steven Miles, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, said Goondiwindi’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is likely to become one of Australia’s first to expand into hydrogen production.
“The Queensland Government is supporting Goondiwindi Regional Council and project partners to pioneer the integration of hydrogen production with wastewater treatment,” Miles said.
“The power generated from a 2.5 megawatt (MW) solar plant and wastewater will produce hydrogen that will be sold to local customers including agricultural users and heavy industry.
“Oxygen generated during the production process will go back into aerating wastewater, improving the WWTP’s efficiency.
“It’s possible the integration of these processes will be a model adopted by other councils as the use of renewable hydrogen energy increases.”
The project has a total estimated value of $15 million, with private sector funding for the project being finalised.
Round two of the HIDF will allocate more than $20 million to renewable hydrogen projects.
Mick de Brenni, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, said hydrogen was creating more jobs in more industries, especially in regional Queensland.
“Projects like this are being progressed across Queensland, leveraging the world-leading energy skills that are abundant in regional Queensland,” de Brenni said.
“This round of funding is the HIDF’s largest investment so far in our growing hydrogen supply chain.”
Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, Goondiwindi Mayor, said the real benefit to the community is that the project will substantially extend the life and efficiency of the Waste Water Treatment Plant for ratepayers.
“Council has been very active in pursuing this project as it has the potential to save our ratepayers millions in the replacement cost of the existing aging infrastructure, as well as reduce the on-going operational expenses,” Springborg said.
“As the WWTP has scope to produce a significant quantity of renewable hydrogen for use in the region, we are working with our partners, The Hydrogen Collective and Queensland University of Technology, to develop a local renewable hydrogen supply chain.
“We are also proud of the added environmental benefits from reusing wastewater for hydrogen production.”
The HIDF aligns with Queensland’s Recovery Plan to rebuild the state economy after the effects of COVID-19.
The fund supports the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy, launched in 2019 with a focus on attracting investment and driving sustainable industry development.
For more information, visit: statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/hydrogen
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