Whyalla Pivotal to Australia’s Low-Carbon Future
Whyalla will play a pivotal role in the decarbonisation of heavy industry, with the Federal Government pledging $39m to the Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC).
The HILT CRC will focus on technology that will enable the decarbonisation of heavy industry, with Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf one of only eight regional hubs across the country that will be key to its success.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin said this was fantastic news, not only for the long-term future of local heavy industry such as GFG Alliance, but also Whyalla’s hydrogen ambitions.
“We congratulate the Federal Government on having the foresight to invest in securing the future of Australia’s heavy industry, in particular focusing on regional areas,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“This facility will enable heavy industry to not only compete, but excel in the low-carbon global economy by producing materials such as ‘green’ steel, which GFG Alliance is keen to produce at its Whyalla Steelworks.
“A key facet of the transition to low-carbon operations will be the introduction of hydrogen technology, so this project further cements our credentials as the hub of hydrogen in South Australia.”
University of Adelaide’s Professor Gus Nathan, Director of the Centre for Energy Technology, said transitioning heavy industry to a low-carbon future was vital to the national and global economy.
“It is critical to the global economy and job markets because it produces things that we all need, while also supporting the countless industries and businesses that depend on it,” Professor Nathan said.
“However, while tackling its contribution to the planet’s climate change is a challenge, it is also an economic opportunity because of the growing demand for new, higher-value green products.”
The announcement comes on the back of Mayor McLaughlin and CEO Justin Commons meeting with Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, as well as the senior advisor to Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter. These meetings advocated for Whyalla to play a key role in Australia’s low-carbon future, including the importance of Federal support for the HILT CRC.
The full announcement can be viewed here, while more information on the HILT CRC can be found on their website.