Port of Newcastle advances new precinct to become leading hub for green hydrogen

The development of the Port of Newcastle’s planned Clean Energy Precinct has taken important new steps with the signing of agreements for key design work and environmental impact studies.

The Port of Newcastle unveiled its plans for a Clean Energy Precinct in early 2023, which will utilise a 220-hectare parcel of port land to develop a leading production, storage, and export hub for future clean energy products and technologies including hydrogen and green ammonia.

Backed by a $100 million funding grant for hydrogen readiness from the Australian government and administered by the NSW Government, the Port of Newcastle is targeted to become the state’s future hydrogen hub.

Federal ministers Catherine King and Chris Bowen, along with Sharon Claydon MP, Member for Newcastle, announced on Monday that agreements for key design work and environmental impact studies for the precinct have been signed.

Three firms have been hired to conduct Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies. Formal community consultation and expanded industry engagement will also now be undertaken.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody sas the percent is expected to support around 5,800 jobs throughout construction and add an estimated $4.2 billion to the Hunter regional economy.

He said the FEED and EIS studies will cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure and pipelines to berth. The studies will be completed by successful tenderers Lumea (electrical), coNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure, storage, berth and pipelines).

“Pending planning and legislative requirements and timeframes, our production partners, KEPCO, are expected to begin construction of facilities in 2027, with the precinct to be operational from 2030,” he said.