Australia’s clean energy industry is receiving a huge boost as the Hydrogen Industry Mission is launched, creating new economic and job opportunities across the country.
With the Hydrogen Industry Mission, CSIRO, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and other partners in research and industry will be able to bring down the cost of hydrogen production and distribution, reduce emissions and create more jobs within the sector.
“Australia can be a world leader in hydrogen and this partnership with the business and research communities is another positive step towards growing a clean and competitive hydrogen industry in Australia,” Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said.
“Hydrogen offers enormous energy and economic benefits and has the potential to create more than 8,000 new jobs and generate $11 billion a year in GDP by 2050.”
The investment is part of the $275.5 million funding for the development of regional hydrogen hubs. The Mission brings the Government’s total support for the hydrogen industry to over $900 million.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the CSIRO Missions Program brings research and industry together to address challenges in key societal areas.
“The CSIRO Missions Program is about improving the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of our established and emerging industries by fostering collaboration with the research sector to drive innovation,” Minister Porter said.
“CSIRO has an exemplary track record of fostering cutting-edge collaborations between government, universities, industry and the community. The Hydrogen Industry Mission is the latest ambitious effort that will see technology help to lower emissions by expanding our clean energy options.”
Minister Porter said research and development are critical to securing the efficiencies needed to drive down the cost of hydrogen. With the Mission, Australia has the potential to become a major hydrogen producer and exporter.
As a key priority to the Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap, the Hydrogen Industry Mission will lower the cost of clean hydrogen to under $2 per kilogram, allowing for large-scale deployment across the country’s energy systems.