Renewable hydrogen project developer Countrywide Hydrogen recently secured $8 million in funding from the Tasmanian government as part of its Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme (GHPRS). This funding represents a crucial milestone for Countrywide’s flagship project in Tasmania, Hydrogen HyWay#1, which aims to establish Australia’s first end-to-endhydrogen transport ecosystem. GHPRS uses funds from the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund to stimulate hydrogen supply and demand by offering payments per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced and sold.
Technology and economic impact
Countrywide’s Hydrogen HyWay#1 project plans to build green hydrogen production and refueling facilities near Devonport and Hobart. Each facility will include a 5-megawatt electrolyzer and a hydrogen refueling station capable of supplying up to 690,000kg of green hydrogen per year. These installations will fuel around 33 fuel cell trucks a day, providing a zero-emission transport solution for the heavy-duty road haulage sector. The aim is to start production as early as 2026, with customers already ready to switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Cost reduction and predictability for users
GHPRS is designed to bridge the gap between green hydrogen production costs and affordable prices, making hydrogen competitive with diesel. This initiative brings price stability for end-users and advances Tasmania’s renewable energy targets. By supporting projects like Countrywide’s, the Tasmanian government is encouraging wider adoption of green hydrogen and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Vision and future expansion
Geoff Drucker, Managing Director of Countrywide Hydrogen, expresses his satisfaction at the support received for the Hydrogen HyWay concept. He anticipates that the hydrogen production and refueling model could be replicated across Australia. In addition to targeting the heavy-duty road transport sector, the project also envisages potential industrial applications for the hydrogen produced. A third production site is also planned near Launceston within 12 to 24 months of commissioning the first two facilities.
Outlook and sustainable development
The Countrywide Hydrogen project is part of a wider sustainable development strategy aimed at decarbonizing the transport sector and replacing diesel with cleaner energy solutions. By using abundant renewable resources and developing appropriate infrastructures, Countrywide is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a green economy. The $8 million in funding granted to Countrywide Hydrogen by the Tasmanian government marks a breakthrough for green hydrogen production in Australia. By establishing hydrogen production and refueling infrastructures, the Hydrogen HyWay#1 project is laying the foundations for a more sustainable energy future. This initiative, backed by cutting-edge technologies and strategic vision, demonstrates the potential of green hydrogen to transform the transport sector and beyond.
