The NSW Government is driving down emissions and boosting jobs and industry, co-delivering Australia’s first renewable hydrogen highway on the east coast with the Victorian Government.
NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said applications are now open for $20 million in grant funding to support the design and delivery of renewable hydrogen trucking along Australia’s busiest freight corridor.
“This initiative aims to show the potential of renewable hydrogen for heavy vehicles with the goal of transitioning the freight sector to zero emissions energy sources,” Mr Kean said.
“The Hume Hydrogen Highway will create new jobs and attract investment to NSW and Victoria. It’s expected to drive uptake of renewable hydrogen in the heavy transport sector.”
The NSW and Victorian Governments have each invested $10 million in grant funding for the Hume Hydrogen Highway, a joint grant initiative to support the development of at least four refuelling stations along the highway and approximately 25 hydrogen-powered trucks.
Transport is one of Australia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable hydrogen shows strong potential to be cost competitive with diesel for trucks.
Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio said transport accounts for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon footprint.
“Australia’s busiest corridor is the perfect place to kickstart the transition to a zero-emission freight sector,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The renewable hydrogen highway will create new jobs, drive investment across the east coast and is a landmark step towards meeting Victoria’s target to halve emissions by 2030 as we work towards net-zero by 2050.”
Mr Kean said the Hume Hydrogen Highway is the first initiative of a statewide hydrogen refuelling network.
“What we’re looking for is strong industry collaboration between refuelling station operators, fleet operators, truck manufacturers, major freight customers, and other entities which will be vital to the success of the initiative,” Mr Kean said.
The Victorian, NSW and Queensland Governments will collaborate on the development of the renewable hydrogen highway by 2026, focusing on the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.
Grant applications close 21 October 2022. The successful applicant must enter into a joint funding agreement with both Governments.