Mayor Clare McLaughlin and CEO Justin Commons with representatives from Santos, Fortescue Future Industries, Origin Energy, Chiyoda, ENEOS Australia, Mitsubishi Australia, AMP Energy, H2U, Hydrogen Energy Australia and the State Government during their visit to Whyalla.
Major Hydrogen Visit
Senior executives from major companies investing in the global hydrogen industry have visited Whyalla to find out more about the city in which their proposed investments will be located.
This coincides with the State Government confirming it has included its $593 million commitment to build a hydrogen power plant at Whyalla in next year’s budget.
Representatives from Santos, Fortescue Future Industries, Origin Energy, Chiyoda, ENEOS Australia, Mitsubishi Australia, AMP Energy and H2U – together with Hydrogen Energy Australia and senior State Government managers – toured the city extensively, as well as visiting the Port Bonython hydrogen hub precinct.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin and CEO Justin Commons welcomed the global and national teams, who made this special visit to Whyalla to view the Port Bonython location of their collective hydrogen-related developments first-hand, and to learn more about the local community and economy.
“There was no doubt about the passion and enthusiasm our visitors have regarding the opportunities our region provides to support future green hydrogen production, use and export,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“It is not by chance that this is happening – we have been advocating both State and Federal Government extensively over the past 18 months to ensure Whyalla’s hydrogen potential received their support.
“The positive feedback from these companies and the State Government about Council’s support for the establishment of green hydrogen capability in our region, which will in-turn support decarbonisation of our local heavy industry and the global transition to a low-carbon future , is in strong alignment with Council’s advocacy and vision for the city.”
Mayor McLaughlin said the private sector developments being planned, together with the confirmed State and Federal Government funding for the Port Bonython mega green hydrogen hub and hydrogen power plant, will provide thousands of new jobs for the region in the coming years.
“These projects will provide long-awaited diversification for our economy; increase our population; and put us on the map as a global leader in hydrogen production and export,” she said.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin, right, has advocated extensively with the State and Federal Government, including Premier Peter Malinauskas, to secure government funding for Whyalla’s hydrogen vision.