Australian Gas Infrastructure Group and ENGIE renewable hydrogen blending project in Wodonga moves a step closer
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), a major player in gas infrastructure in Australia and ENGIE, a global reference group in low-carbon energy and services have today announced the securing of $32.1M in government funding to support the delivery of a new hydrogen blending project in Wodonga, Victoria – known as Hydrogen Park Murray Valley (HyP Murray Valley).
This Project received funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of its Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding.
HyP Murray Valley comprises a 10MW electrolyser and will use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen from mid-2023. The installation will enable blending of up to 10% renewable hydrogen into the existing natural gas network, owned by Australian Gas Networks (AGN, part of AGIG), to supply more than 40,000 existing residential, commercial and industrial customers in Wodonga, Victoria and nearby Albury, New South Wales.
HyP Murray Valley will be located at North East Water’s West Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant. This will allow HyP Murray Valley to capture the many benefits of locating hydrogen production adjacent to wastewater treatment facilities, including access to water and renewable electricity, both of which are key inputs into making renewable hydrogen.
The Australian Hydrogen Centre selected Wodonga as the most suitable location to develop this blending project through a multi-criteria analysis of more than 30 potential areas. The location choice considered the characteristics of the gas network and associated infrastructure to deliver a renewable hydrogen production hub in Wodonga that is aimed at decarbonising local gas supply, industry and the transport sector.
The strategic partnership between AGIG and ENGIE covers the entire hydrogen supply chain, from production through to retail, to deliver HyP Murray Valley. The joint experience of AGIG and ENGIE in implementing projects for gas infrastructure, hydrogen infrastructure, electricity markets, retail gas sales and hydrogen refueling infrastructure (especially for heavy duty mobility such as buses and trucks) enables both companies to position themselves as strong partners in advancing Australia's emerging hydrogen industry.
Today’s funding announcement paves the way for further planning and development work before a final investment decision is made, which is expected by no later than early 2022.
AGIG's CEO, Ben Wilson said "AGIG is leading the way in renewable hydrogen across the energy value chain in Australia with a number of major projects across all the mainland states. HyP Murray Valley take us a step closer to making a 100 per cent renewable gas supply a reality. We look forward to working to deliver HyP Murray Valley, a globally significant project, with our valued partner ENGIE who bring with them extensive energy and hydrogen industry experience both in Australia and internationally."
"This project is yet another example of how renewable hydrogen production and distribution platforms can contribute to the energy transition by offering multi-purpose carbon-neutral solutions. Our expertise in renewable hydrogen, AGIG's well-established network and experience, the Australian government's support and the project's replicability – all this can enable significant development of renewable hydrogen throughout the country. ENGIE is joining forces with AGIG to contribute to Australia's hydrogen economy," says Michele Azalbert, CEO of ENGIE's Hydrogen Business Unit.
About AGIG
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) formed in May 2017 with the coming together of three businesses – AGN, Multinet Gas Networks (MGN) and Dampier to Bunbury Pipeline (DBP). AGIG owns and operates one of Australia's largest gas infrastructure businesses with operations across every mainland state and the Northern Territory supplying approximately 2 million customers. Operations include 40,000km of gas distribution and transmission pipelines, 60 petajoules of gas storage capacity, gas processing facilities and remote power generation. AGIG owns and operates Hydrogen Park SA, Australia’s largest electrolyser currently, which blends green hydrogen into our local gas network and supplies to industrial customers. We are also constructing Hydrogen Park Gladstone in Queensland.
AGIG's vision is to be the leading gas infrastructure business in Australia - by delivering for customers, being a good employer, and being sustainably cost efficient. www.agig.com.au.
About ENGIE
Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Together with our 170,000 employees, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. Turnover in 2020: 55.8 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe and Euronext Vigeo Eiris - World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120, France 20, CAC 40 Governance). https://engie.com.au/
About the Australian Hydrogen Centre
The Australian Hydrogen Centre (AHC) is an ARENA-funded public-private partnership consisting of the South Australian and Victorian governments, AGIG, ENGIE, AusNet Services and Neoen. Established at the end of 2019, the AHC will help to accelerate the hydrogen industry by developing detailed plans for hydrogen blending and 100% hydrogen conversion in South Australia and Victoria. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government, and the Australian Government does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.
AGIG Media contact:
Craig de Laine, Executive General Manager, Customer and Strategy, AGIG T (08) 8418 1129 M (0403) 309 940
Email: Mediaenquiries@agig.com.au
ENGIE Media contact:
Email: engie@volanov.com