The HyNQ Clean Energy Project is an export scale green hydrogen, green ammonia, freshwater and renewable electricity production project with a strong competitive advantage. For hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives to become the enabling technology in the renewable energy transition, production costs must decrease dramatically. With equipment costs coming down, making hydrogen affordable is contingent upon large-scale supply of low-cost renewable electricity. HyNQ realises this vision, producing hydrogen using our own large-scale renewable energy generation within the Bowen region to dramatically reduce the final cost of green hydrogen products to our customers.

The Project is located approximately 25km north of Bowen in North Queensland Bulk Port’s (NQBP) Abbot Point State Development Area (SDA). The project will be globally significant in scale, will significantly offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption and will support local green jobs in the Bowen Basin throughout development, construction and operation.

The co-location of the master-planned SDA and the proximity of both the Bruce highway and railway infrastructure enable the development of Abbot Point as a clean energy ecosystem, giving reliable, low-cost access to market. The project will also act as an enabler for development of the industrial precinct within the SDA by offering cost-effective green electricity, freshwater and green chemical supply to co-located businesses.

What is Green Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a non-toxic, odorless, tasteless gas that has been used for more than 50 years in industrial processes. It is safer to handle than many of the fuels used today. Hydrogen is created by splitting a water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. It is called “green” hydrogen when the energy used to split the hydrogen from the water is from renewable energy sources, therefore the process and the end product of hydrogen, is 100 per cent “green” and carbon dioxide free.

As green hydrogen is developed and produced, it provides a renewable alternative for use across many industrial sectors, from chemical feedstock to transport fuel and power generation.

Image Source: HSBC, Green Hydrogen – the answer to energy transition and global decarbonisation, August 2020

Why Abbot Point?

Abbot Point is amongst the world’s most attractive locations for the development of large-scale hydrogen production. Specific competitive advantages include

• Existing deep water port infrastructure with room for expansion

• The State Development Area within which the Project is proposed simplifies and expedites the planning process, with dedicated planning resources allocated within Queensland Government

• The very large port-adjacent land area, with room for development of the renewable energy infrastructure that is critical to bringing down the cost of hydrogen

• Strong solar and wind resources located close to the Port

• Excellent existing road and rail infrastructure for direct access to domestic markets

• Engaged and supportive stakeholders at all levels across the Bowen region and more broadly in Queensland

• Existing transmission infrastructure to the Port with room for capacity expansion (restringing), enabling comparatively low cost connection to the National Electricity Market

• A demonstrated need for renewable energy supply in Queensland

• The ability to deliver freshwater directly into town water supply or the Bowen agricultural region, providing water security for an area with highly seasonal natural water supply

Development Progress

HyNQ Clean Energy Project is currently in the development phase. Energy Estate and partners have been busy developing the project, including completing the following major milestones:

• Ongoing consultation with project stakeholders

• Completed scoping studies

• Completed an initial planning pathway review

• Completed initial financial modelling and business case preparation

• Completed initial grid connection investigations

• Port infrastructure expansion assessment completed by NQBP, with a specific focus on hydrogen opportunities

The project continues to develop quickly, with a dedicated team at Energy Estate being formed to accelerate the project. Currently the HyNQ Team is working through:

• Detailed techno-economic pre-feasibility studies

• The Coordinator General planning approval process for the project, as it will be developed in a State Development Area (SDA).

• Technical feasibility studies have begun and are expected to be completed

• Detailed financial modelling and business case preparation

• Connection inquiry approval from Powerlink