A new multi-million-dollar Hydrogen Hub in Melbourne’s south-east funded by the Victorian Government will create hundreds of jobs and help develop new technologies to make energy cheaper and cleaner.

The $10 million Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) will be a major national precinct to explore new hydrogen technologies, including clean energy vehicles and hydrogen storage containers.

A partnership between the Swinburne University of Technology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the VH2 will provide opportunities to students, researchers and industry and be a place where the community can learn about hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.

While visiting the site on Sunday, Minister for Higher Education, Gayle Tierney, and Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the facility will stimulate Australia’s hydrogen sector and establish Victoria as a leader in developing clean, more efficient and reliable energy sources.

VH2 will create about 300 new full-time jobs and half its PhD and Masters scholarships will be awarded to women to boost female participation in the sector.

Construction is forecast to commence in early 2022 and take about 18 months, with a twin facility slated for Stuttgart in Germany, fostering an Australian-first international hydrogen development partnership.

VH2 is a key component of the Victorian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan which is due to be released in coming weeks and will set the framework for building a thriving hydrogen economy over the next decade.

This project was funded through the $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund which is supporting universities with capital works, research infrastructure projects and applied research focused on boosting Victoria’s productivity and economy as the state recovers from the pandemic.

“We are proud to be investing in this innovative project that will drive the state’s COVID-19 recovery – by giving Victorians more opportunities to learn and find pathways into meaningful careers,” said Minister for Higher Education, Gayle Tierney.

“This hub will help give Victorian the skills and experience we need to unlock the hydrogen industry – driving down emissions while creating green jobs in a growing industry,” added Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio.

“We’re grateful to the Victorian Government and our partners for their support as we work for advancements in hydrogen technology and focus on wider technological advancements for Victoria, Australia and the world,” commented Swinburne University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pascale Quester.