PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian state government has announced a A$22-million investment to develop hydrogen supply in the state, bringing forward its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy targets by a decade.

The funding would go towards nine initiatives which are aimed at boosting the state’s renewable hydrogen industry and positioning Western Australia as a major producer, user and exporter of renewable hydrogen.

The government's investment, increased business interest and pace of technology development mean the goals of the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy are being bought forward from 2040 to 2030.

"Interest in renewable hydrogen is rapidly accelerating and our government is moving to position Western Australia as a world leader in hydrogen production,” said Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

"Investing in renewable hydrogen and bringing forward our targets sends a clear message to the industry that we are serious about Western Australia being powered by clean energy.”

The strategy aims to boost the state's hydrogen industry across four areas - export, use in remotely located industries, blending in natural gas networks, and use in fuel cell electric transport vehicles.

The government has committed A$5.7-million to an Australia-first renewable energy microgrid in the Gascoyne town of Denham, using a new solar power system to produce hydrogen from water.

The demonstrator microgrid will test the technology and feasibility of implementing microgrids incorporating hydrogen in regional areas across the State.

The state government is committed to supporting the Denham project, subject to the Australia Renewable Energy Agency's final consideration, said MacTiernan.

Another A$2-million has been allocated to Fortescue Metals’ H2's renewable hydrogen mobility project in the Pilbara, which will produce solar hydrogen for transport at Fortescue's Christmas Creek iron-ore mine, advancing vital decarbonisation technologies.

Fortescue plans to purchase 10 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to replace its diesel bus fleet, and the lessons learnt from this project will support their plans to reduce reliance on imported diesel across a range of transport forms.

Another A$1-million will be allocated by the government towards energy infrastructure developer ATCO's hydrogen refueller project in Jandakot that will develop, deploy and operate the first green hydrogen refuelling station in Western Australia.

The station will integrate with ATCO's existing Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Jandakot, and service ATCO's fleet of fuel cell electric cars and approved vehicles of other organisations.

The Jandakot H2-Fuel project is a key enabler to driving down the costs of refuelling infrastructure, and an opportunity to build the local skills and labour force required to support the industry.

Over time, the hydrogen refueller project could be expanded to target over 1 000 fuel cell electric vehicles in metropolitan Perth.

An additional A$5-million in funding will be allocated to the government's existing A$10-million Renewable Hydrogen Fund for grants to support industry development.

"The Western Australian Recovery Plan is focused on creating a pipeline of local jobs to support Western Australia's economic recovery, while investing in growing green industries that support and improve Western Australia's future,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

"The state government and Renewable Hydrogen Council are keen to see Western Australia accelerate our hydrogen industry through these nine initiatives and the new 2030 target.

"Major export markets are seeking hydrogen much sooner than expected, and we are in a prime position to join the supply chain.

"Investing in our clean energy future will not only create jobs and training opportunities for Western Australians, but will further diversify our economy."