PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has called on transport operators, equipment manufacturers and hydrogen producers to team up and submit an expression of interest (EoI) for its Hydrogen Fuelled Transport Program.

The program will provide financial support to a project that includes the procurement and operation of hydrogen- or green ammonia-fuelled transport, and the installation of one or more refuelling stations.

EoI applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to submit a more detailed project plan. Successful applicants from the EoI process will be announced in 2022.

"With shorter refuelling times and the ability to travel longer ranges and carry more weight, hydrogen vehicles present a big zero-emissions transport option for Western Australia,” said Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

"With the hydrogen transport industry still in an early phase, we are putting this investment on the table to accelerate hydrogen-fuelled transport like trucks and busses, and boost the rollout of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.  

"By testing market appetite with a flexible funding program, the Hydrogen Fuelled Transport Program is helping put Western Australia ahead of the pack in clean fuel transport.”

Transport is one of four strategic focus areas outlined in the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which identifies commercial vehicles as an early opportunity to harness hydrogen energy for mobility and freight transport.

The program is part of the A$61.5-million included in the 2021-22 state Budget to drive renewable hydrogen development and will create offtake opportunities to ramp up local production. 

The state goverment has committed around A$90-million to support the development of the renewable hydrogen industry in Western Australia, and is on track to meet the 2022 goals set out in the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.