THE federal government has established 13 regional hydrogen clusters across Australia, investing A$1.85 million in an effort to create a nationwide virtual cluster to foster a globally competitive hydrogen industry.

The clusters will act as a collaborative hub for companies to share expertise and skills in order to ramp up the burgeoning industry which could increase Australia's GDP by up to A$26 billion, according to a 2019 Deloitte report. 

Spearheaded by National Energy Resources Australia, the national, virtual cluster is designed to create a unique brand for Australian hydrogen and expertise and kickstart the development of hydrogen supply chains and identify gaps in development, deployment and commercialisation of new hydrogen technologies. 

The regional hydrogen technology clusters, spanning across all states and territories, have been created following a seed funding selection program NERA started in September last year. NERA has also been able to leverage a range of funding commitments from state and territory governments around the country as well as funding from industry. 

NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said the clusters have been established around key existing hydrogen projects and technology supply chains in strategic locations that have demonstrated the capacity to support them. 

"This will ensure long-term local cohesion and sustainable capability across the emerging hydrogen value chain," she said. 

"Today marks a great step forward in Australia's capability in developing hydrogen technologies."

Three clusters are based in Western Australia, across Perth, Peel and the South-West and Karratha; one is based in Darwin, Northern Territory; another in Adelaide, South Australia; four are based in Victoria; one in Canberra; one is based in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, and the final one is based in Brisbane. 

Australian Hydrogen Council CEO Dr Fiona Simon welcomed the news, saying the clusters are essential to connect small and medium enterprises across the hydrogen supply chain, and would provide opportunities to leverage hydrogen skills and expertise across the country. 

"The hydrogen technology clusters will stimulate jobs growth and create greater efficiencies by sharing technologies, research and other resources within these virtual networks," she said. 

"Businesses of all sizes will be able to prepare for the increasing demand for products and services necessary across the hydrogen supply chain, from gas fitters to software engineers."

The establishment of hydrogen clusters were identified by the government's National Hydrogen Strategy which was adopted by all states and territories in 2019. 

The news was also welcomed by Hazer group, which is building a hydrogen demonstration project near Perth. Its share price rose 8.3% off the back of the announcement. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

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