Energy Networks Australia welcomes hydrogen boost

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has welcomed the Morrison Government’s funding commitment that will see three large scale hydrogen plants built in Western Australia and Victoria.

ENA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon said the funding boost showed the federal government’s commitment to a clean energy future in Australia.

“New energy sources such as hydrogen need to be deployed if Australia is to reach net zero emissions and investing in these technologies is a step towards achieving that goal,” he said.

“Investment in Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry is vital to continue the work transitioning to a clean energy future. Hydrogen creates a logical path for decarbonising our current gas supplies and blending in the existing gas networks is a key early step to developing a hydrogen export industry.

“Already, gas networks have been leading the way to demonstrate the role of green hydrogen for domestic use, with two projects already operational and more being commissioned in the coming weeks.”

Mr Dillon said renewable gas had an important role in a zero-emission energy future to ensure the transition was affordable and customers continued to have energy choices.

“Many Australians love cooking with gas and hydrogen is the pathway for this to continue as we decarbonise,” he said.

“The Gas Vision 2050 report outlines the industry’s response to reaching net zero emissions and has found this can be reached with hydrogen at half the cost of electrification.”

Mr Dillon congratulated Engie Renewables Australia and ENA member organisations ATCO Australia and Australian Gas Networks Limited (AGIG) on their successful applications.

“Networks are innovating and investing to bring their business into the renewable energy future. Funding such as this will only fast track projects which will enable networks to continue to use utilise their gas infrastructure which is the lowest cost option to reach net-zero emissions from the energy sector by 2050.”