Construction Begins on Queensland Green Hydrogen Hub

Sydney-based Ark Energy has officially commenced construction on the first stage of the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub in Queensland.

Located in Townsville, the facility will centre around green hydrogen production and refuelling. In phase one, a 1-MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser is expected to produce 155 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

The electrolyser, which is supplied by Plug Power, will run through a behind-the-meter connection to the co-located 121MWac Sun Metals solar farm.

Additionally, compression, storage and refuelling facilities will be located adjacent to the electrolyser.

More than half of the green hydrogen produced at the facility will be used to power Hyzon Motors fuel cell electric trucks, which will be used to transport zinc from the Port of Townsville to Sun Metals’ zinc refinery. The remaining green hydrogen will be sold to major industrial customers.

Green hydrogen production is slated to commence by the end of next year’s first quarter.

Backing the project are the Queensland Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), who are providing grants of A$5m, A$3.02m, and A$12.5m respectively.