Western Australia Renewable Hydrogen Fund 2nd round opens
The Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund has opened its 2nd round of the Fund to support the regional hydrogen industry and economic recovery.
This round is focused on feasibility studies, and capital works projects in the region covering four business areas: export, remote applications, hydrogen blending in natural gas networks and transport.
Currently, $5 million has been allocated to the second round of the Fund which may be granted to one or multiple projects. The feasibility studies can be funded up to A$ 300,000 (US$ 226,734) per grant, while capital works projects can be funded up to A$ 5 million (US$ 3.8 million) per grant. The application submission deadline is 19 February 2021.
The Fund aims to promote investment in renewable hydrogen, develop local production capabilities, improve local hydrogen expertise, and make the region as a major exporter of renewable hydrogen. Furthermore, these projects should contribute to decarbonisation and enhance the quality of air.
The government anticipates that Australian potential low-emissions hydrogen exports can reach A$ 2.2 billion (US$ 1.65 billion) by 2030 and A$ 5.7 billion (US$ 4.27 billion) by 2040.
In 2019, the Western Australian Government started the first round of its Renewable Hydrogen Fund. Four projects received funds A$ 6 million (US$ 4.5 million) in total: ATCO Gas Australia Pty Ltd received, Fortescue Hydrogen Pty Ltd, Horizon Power and Yara Pilbara Fertilisers. Similarly, seven organisations received funds for conducting feasibility studies.
