Tasmania's Green Hydrogen Hub Vision
The Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Bell Bay is the catalyst needed to kick start our state's hydrogen economy through the provision of multiuser infrastructure to support project partner investment decisions. Our competitive advantages make us an obvious location to play a central role in realising Australia's green hydrogen future.
Our plan will further develop our globally recognised renewable energy credentials and enable the planning and establishment of necessary infrastructure to be a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen.
We have now concluded an Expression of Interest (EOI) process which sought to identify potential Provisional Partner(s) with whom to deliver a green hydrogen facility in Bell Bay.
The EOI built on the information delivered through the previous Registration of Interest (ROI) and will enable further work to be progressed to ensure we remain on track to deliver a green hydrogen project from 2028.
Should you have any questions please email tghhenquiries@recfit.tas.gov.au
Download the information pack (PDF 5.4 MB)
In January 2024, $70 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Hydrogen Hubs program was locked-in for the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub.
The Tasmanian Government is leading a consortium of partners including TasPorts, TasNetworks, TasWater, TasIrrigation and the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone to deliver this project over the next four years.
Funding will support both the investment in shared-use infrastructure such as port facilities, water supply and the electricity network, and the activation of a domestic market to ensure Tasmanian businesses can capitalise on this emerging technology.
The latest projections show the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub project will also inject around $1.2 billion into the local economy over the duration of the project and support more than 740 local jobs.
As part of this journey we are also focused on growing our own domestic market for locally-produced green hydrogen within and right around our state.
The Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub will bring together industry partners who will combine technical expertise and experience to deliver a globally impactful renewable energy project, creating affordable, reliable, and accessible clean energy.
A hydrogen hub is a precinct of industry and businesses producing and using hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives, including users from the energy, transport and industrial sectors.
Co-locating production and usage in one place is a cost-effective approach using existing infrastructure and economies of scale in developing a local hydrogen industry.
The Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub will provide major benefits to Tasmanian businesses and the economy, confirming our status as a renewable energy powerhouse, and cementing access to developing global supply chains.
The hub will provide common-user infrastructure including upgrades across port, water, and electricity transmission, as well as providing funding for appropriate project governance and market activation opportunities.
It will provide the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen proponents to establish green hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives production facilities at Bell Bay and enable the expansion of these facilities over time.
The Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub (PDF 738.0 KB) first stage will include a hydrogen production plant of up to 300MW located within the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.
It will be central to providing local job and training opportunities. The green hydrogen produced on site will be used to transition advanced manufacturing, heavy transport and energy intensive industries to renewable energy, as well as for export.
Tasmanian hydrogen projects are also part of the trials for the development of a new Australian Government hydrogen certification scheme. This will help to ensure that the design of this scheme appropriately recognises our green credentials.
Water
Access to a secure water supply is essential for the development of an export scale hydrogen production facility. While Tasmania represents less than one percent of Australia’s land mass, we have an abundance of water, with around twelve percent of the nation’s freshwater supplies.
As part of the development of the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub, work is underway to investigate and develop the necessary infrastructure to make water available in Bell Bay for hydrogen production. It is estimated that approximately two gigalitres of water is required annually to support a 300MW electrolyser.
Tasmanian Irrigation’s proposed Tamar Irrigation Scheme has been identified as an infrastructure solution which would be able support both hydrogen production and agricultural irrigation. Tasmanian Irrigation completed its water sales investigation in early 2024 on the proposed scheme and secured funding from the Tasmanian Government in December 2024 to progress a preliminary business case.The Tamar Irrigation Scheme would deliver 8,500ML per season of high reliability irrigation water to Beaconsfield, Legana, Rowella, Hillwood, Pipers Brook and Pipers River. It would also deliver up to an additional 12,000ML per annum of water to Bell Bay for hydrogen production.
Tamar Irrigation Scheme - Tasmanian Irrigation
While the Tamar Irrigation Scheme is being developed, water is able to be supplied by the state’s water and sewerage service provider, TasWater.
Power
The Tasmanian energy supply makes it a unique in Australia, and one of the few jurisdictions globally to boast an entirely renewable energy grid. The state’s enviable hydro system means there are opportunities for large scale, new Variable Renewable Energy projects, with Hydro Tasmania’s pre-existing, approved firming already available.
While Australian mainland electricity supply is undergoing an energy transition with retirement of coal fired generation, Tasmania has the opportunity for existing and new renewable energy to support new industries.
Bell Bay is supplied from the George Town Substation. It is a major 220kV transmission node in the Tasmanian network and provides connection to several industrial customers, as well as the Basslink HVDC interconnector. ReCFIT, in partnership with TasNetworks has explored network and transmission options available for a green hydrogen facility.
Preliminary studies have indicated that a 300MW load could be accommodated within Bell Bay at 220kV with further investment to meet minimum network performance requirements (irrespective of the location, i.e. north or south of George Town substation).
A Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT–T) is currently underway to support this.
Port
The Port of Bell Bay is a deep-water port located in northern Tasmania occupying approximately 70 hectares. It is the only port in Australia without capacity constraints as it currently operates at around thirty percent capacity.
It is Tasmania’s principal hub for both domestic and international freight, offering accessibility by road and rail, and featuring all-weather access and a navigable harbour equipped with a multi-user wharf and comprehensive landside infrastructure.
There are existing industries in Bell Bay looking to use some form of hydrogen or derivatives to decarbonise operations, such as Bell Bay Aluminium, Liberty Bell Bay, Timberlink Bell Bay and East Arm Resources.
Developing a hydrogen industry in Tasmania will stimulate economic growth and create jobs for Tasmanians. This includes both direct and indirect benefits from the significant investment in renewable energy and supporting infrastructure and the expansion of existing advanced manufacturing activity.
The project will generate around 740 jobs, including engineering, project management other various technical roles, while hub construction will provide work for local skilled trades like concreters, plumbers, fitters and electricians.
Adding hydrogen to Tasmania's energy mix will further increase the system's resilience and reliability. Increased demand for hydrogen production will stimulate the demand for further renewable energy.
Use of hydrogen in existing emissions intensive industries including transport, agriculture/aquaculture and manufacturing has the potential to further reduce Tasmania's carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions while allowing them to remain competitive as global markets decarbonise.
Development of a green hydrogen hub in Tasmania will pave the way for growth of a scale industry to supply expanding domestic and export markets.
The National Hydrogen Strategy outlines that there is strong global demand for green hydrogen and the need to capture this demand through development of export markets. A Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub is an ideal way to tap into this growing market and open international trade channels to the rest of Australia.
