The Macquarie Group summarise their process and findings investigating the technology and economic feasibility of creating a major green hydrogen hub at the Port of Newcastle in NSW.
Report extract
Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Hub is a green hydrogen and ammonia hub project that was expected to be developed by Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (“Macquarie GIG”)1 and the Port of Newcastle (“PON”) (together the “Project Sponsors”). The thesis behind Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Hub was that PON was a potentially ideal location for an early hydrogen and ammonia hub given its existing infrastructure, access to electricity and proximity to early demand. The plan for the Project was to develop an early project accessing domestic production and leveraging concessional funding from the Government that would be well positioned for an emerging export market in the coming years.
The feasibility study includes:
- The timing and feasibility of proposed hydrogen offtake cases including heavy mobility, power to gas, fertiliser, bunkering and export;
- A comparison of the different sites in and around the Port;
- The availability of services and infrastructure for a pilot (~40MW) and large scale (+1GW) facility;
- The potential options for berthing and bunkering at the Port;
- A concept design and estimated costing (class V estimate); and
- A vision for the future of hydrogen in the region and the potential benefits the industry could provide the Hunter.