Countrywide Renewable Hydrogen — a subsidiary of ReNu Energy Ltd — and Tas Gas Networks have signed an agreement which sets out the companies’ intention to work together to explore the introduction of green hydrogen for commercial and industrial use to Tasmania.

Countrywide is developing the Hydrogen Tasmania Brighton Project, and has commenced preliminary works in relation to the project. It includes the production of hydrogen, the construction of a network to distribute the hydrogen, and the co-ordination with stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

The agreement between Countrywide and Tas Gas will see the parties working together to explore the options to supply both industrial and residential customers with green hydrogen produced by Countrywide at the project, including utilising existing and new network infrastructure.

The companies will explore the technical and commercial requirements of supplying customers with both 100 per cent hydrogen and blends with natural gas. Tas Gas’s retail arm is the largest gas retailer in Tasmania supplying gas to more than 9,000 industrial, commercial and residential customers, and will become the foundation retailer for the Project.

Countrywide Managing Director Geoffrey Drucker said the partnership provides Hobart with the opportunity to introduce a low carbon gas to customers at scale.

“Our vision is to enable industrial gas customers to completely decarbonise their gas supplies, while providing the Tasmanian community with the opportunity to access a blend of  green hydrogen and natural gas as a lower carbon gas alternative. This is the first step towards enabling that.

“Tasmania is a world leader in the renewable energy industry and this is an important step in the State’s strategy to transition to lower carbon energy sources. The Tasmanian Government are consistently looking at ways for the State to reduce their carbon footprint, and this project complements their Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan released in 2019.”

Tas Gas Chief Executive Office Phaedra Deckart said energy distribution is often an overlooked part of an energy system, but gas network infrastructure will be critical to the success of Tasmania’s and the nation’s pathway to a successful hydrogen economy.

“We are fortunate that Tas Gas’ network is one of the most modern in Australia and is ready today to support the safe and reliable supply of hydrogen to help decarbonise the State’s energy supply.”