State Government-owned electricity generation and trading company, CleanCo Queensland, has commenced preliminary works to establish a future energy and hydrogen precinct in Swanbank.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said the precinct project will look at renewable hydrogen production and refuelling facilities, an on-site solar farm and modifications to feed renewable hydrogen into the existing Swanbank E Power Station.

“We’re putting $1.5 million on the table to develop a concept-level design exploring options as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery plan,” Minister de Brenni said.

“A precinct like this would bring more jobs and more industries through cleaner, cheaper energy and put Queensland at the forefront of new industry technology.”

“In Queensland, we are using our state-owned energy assets to achieve our decarbonisation agenda,” he said.

“That sends a clear message to our neighbours and trading partners that Queensland has the skills, technology and innovation and we’re using it to power domestic demand and our global competitiveness in renewable energy.”

Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target and local Bundamba MP, Lance McCallum, said the future was bright for Swanbank.

“This is an exciting and visionary project. Swanbank is ideally placed to use renewable hydrogen made from Queensland sunshine,” Mr McCallum said.

“Our government is committed to working with stakeholders and industry to support the economic development of the region.”

“We want the jobs that go with clean, cheap power that helps local businesses remain competitive in a decarbonising world.”

Australian energy icon and operator of Lytton Refinery since 1965, Ampol has announced its plans to continue long-term operations through renewable hydrogen production. Ampol’s Executive General Manager Commercial, Brent Merrick, said the company looks forward to engaging further on plans for the future of the Swanbank precinct.

“Ampol is committed to powering today and tomorrow as we develop new energy solutions that will assist customers with energy transformation,” Mr Merrick said.

“As a proud Australian company that plays a critical role as a provider of energy across the Queensland economy, we look forward to engaging with the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and broader government and industry stakeholders as plans for this precinct are developed.”

CleanCo Queensland CEO, Dr Maia Schweizer, said the concept design for the Swanbank future energy and hydrogen precinct will include engaging with the local community and assessing customer demand for hydrogen to ensure optimal social, commercial and economic outcomes can be achieved.

“We will also develop a strategy and roadmap for inviting and engaging partners to develop the precinct in line with the concept design,” she said.

“Commercial partnerships will be critical for ensuring the long-term commercial viability of the precinct, bringing new investment, new industry and new job opportunities to the region,” Dr Schweizer said.

“At CleanCo we believe Queensland has the natural resources and skills to make Queensland a leader in producing globally competitive renewable energy.”

“This future energy precinct is a first step toward demonstrating that, right here at Swanbank.”