Joint media release: Backing the future of renewable hydrogen made in Australia

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science

Alison Byrnes MP, Federal Member for Cunningham

The Albanese Government is supercharging Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry, backing Hysata in the Illawarra to expand production of high-efficiency hydrogen electrolysers.

Our $15 million investment today through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), is a critical part of the $172 million expansion of manufacturing at Hysata’s Port Kembla facility, which aims to reach gigawatt-scale production of its electrolyser.

Green hydrogen is a critical fuel for decarbonising heavy industry and electrolysers are the key technology to produce that green hydrogen at scale.

Hysata’s innovative electrolysers will bring down the cost of green hydrogen and reduce energy usage as they operate at 95% efficiency, compared with around 65% efficiency of other modern electrolysers.

Projects like this are part of securing Australia’s place as a renewable energy superpower and securing the well-paying jobs that come with exporting cleaner, cheaper reliable renewable energy to the rest of the world.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has also supported Hysata from its early days as a start-up, providing grants totalling nearly $30 million to help Hysata develop, build and demonstrate its technology at commercial scale.

Today’s investment builds on the Albanese Government’s support for Australian-made renewable hydrogen through our groundbreaking $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program, and over $500 million to build hydrogen hubs in regional Australia.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

"This technology can help drive down the cost of hydrogen production and decarbonise energy-intensive sectors like steel, fertiliser and shipping."

"Clean, cheap renewable hydrogen is a vital part of a future made in Australia. Manufacturing electrolysers in Australia is a huge opportunity to shore up essential supply chains and leverage our innovation to capture more of the global renewable energy technology chain."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:

"We’re facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower and this investment will help us grab that opportunity.'"

"Abundant green hydrogen can produce cheap, reliable power for local industries as well as cementing our position as an energy supplier to the world."

"Emissions down, jobs up and a future made in Australia – that’s what makes this investment so important."

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes:

"With the energy transformation, the Illawarra needs to focus on how we can secure good, well-paid jobs and economic prosperity into the future."

"Regions like the Illawarra have helped build the nation, and we hope to play a role in powering it into the future."

"The technological leap that these electrolysers represent is proof that the Illawarra isn’t just adapting to the renewable energy revolution – we’re leading it."