The Queensland region of Goondiwindi is one step closer to having a regional hydrogen economy, fuelled by local sunshine and recycled water, thanks to $2 million in State Government funding.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said Goondiwindi’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is likely to become one of Australia’s first to expand into hydrogen production.

“This innovative approach to kickstarting a localised renewable hydrogen economy will be supported with the grant from round two of the $35 million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF),” he said.

“The power generated from a 2.5 megawatt solar plant and wastewater will produce hydrogen that will be sold to local customers including agricultural users and heavy industry.

“Oxygen generated during the production process will go back into aerating wastewater, improving the WWTP’s efficiency.

“It’s possible the integration of these processes will be a model adopted by other Councils as the use of renewable hydrogen energy increases.”

The project has a total estimated value of $15 million, with private sector funding for the project currently being finalised.

Round two of the HIDF will see more than $20 million allocated to renewable hydrogen projects that are expected to support hundreds of highly skilled jobs.

The fund supports the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy, launched in 2019 with a focus on attracting investment and driving sustainable industry development.

The HIDF is supporting projects across Queensland that focus on domestic uses of renewable hydrogen.