Joint media release with Member for Capricornia The Hon Michelle Landry MP

The Liberal National Government is supporting a study that will investigate the use of an existing ammonia plant to produce renewable hydrogen in Moranbah, Queensland.

Dyno Nobel Moranbah Pty Ltd currently uses natural gas to produce hydrogen for ammonia, producing 360,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate annually for supply to mining companies.

Through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Government has committed funding of $980,000 to Dyno Nobel and if viable the facility would include a co-located 210 MW solar farm and 160 MW electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry welcomed the Government's continued support for the development of Australia's hydrogen resources.

The Liberal National Government is committed to supporting the hydrogen industry as it will create new jobs for Capricornia and across Australia', Ms Landry said.

'Renewable energy projects provide much needed jobs for the area, much like any infrastructure project in Capricornia.

'It's important to invest in renewable energy projects using resources like hydrogen so that we can continue to deliver extra energy supply to the market and drop energy prices for families and businesses.'

In December 2018, the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council, chaired by Minister Taylor, commissioned officials and the Chief Scientist to develop a comprehensive and ambitious national strategy for the development of an Australian hydrogen industry, to be delivered by the end of 2019.

The National Hydrogen Strategy will examine the use of hydrogen in exports, transport, and the gas distribution network, for industrial users and to support electricity systems.

Hydrogen technology will help lower the cost of reducing emissions, so that we can meet Australia's global climate commitments without sending industries and jobs offshore.

Australia is well positioned to become a world leader in hydrogen development.