Five big firms sign on in 2024 to be part of Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub near Whyalla in South Australia
The concept for the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, near Whyalla on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula and upper Spencer Gulf, as a common-user precinct for companies involved in producing and exporting hydrogen.
Image by 5B from Renw Economy website
Five major companies signed development agreements with the South Australian government in 2024 to use the proposed Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, South Australia’s first large clean hydrogen production precinct, near Whyalla on Eyre Peninsula and the state’s upper Spencer Gulf. Amp Energy, Fortescue Energy, The Hydrogen Utility (H2U), Origin Energy and Santos signed the agreements.
Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub would be a common user precinct for producing and exporting hydrogen. It would be integral to South Australia’s first-mover strategy to enter the global hydrogen market. The hub was part of the $593 million state government-funded Hydrogen Jobs Plan. A hydrogen power plant was scheduled to start operating in early 2026 at Whyalla and would harness the state's surplus wind and solar power.
The agreements with the five Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub project partners provided a clear pathway for them to secure a long-term lease on land at Port Bonython. They could continue with feasibility studies and early design works for their proposed hydrogen projects while continuing to work with the government’s Office of Hydrogen Power SA to define infrastructure needs and advance critical environmental assessments.
Supported by the Australian government’s $70 million and South Australian government's $30 million funding, infrastructure at the hub was progressing through master planning. This aimed to strengthen common-user infrastructure solutions, including marine export infrastructure, electricity transmission and water supply. The state government was also spearheading crucial scientific studies to deepen understanding of the marine and land environment at Port Bonython. These aimed to minimise community impact and safeguard local marine life, including the giant Australian cuttlefish.
The state government also acknowledged the Barngarla people as native title holders of the land and would continue to work with the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation as the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub progressed.
