October 14, 2024 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- The Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct has achieved a significant milestone, with the signing of agreements for Front End Engineering Designs and Environmental Impact Statements. These agreements cover essential infrastructure such as electrical systems, water services, storage, berth infrastructure, pipelines, and general site layout.
The projects are funded by a $100 million grant from the Commonwealth Government aimed at preparing the precinct for hydrogen readiness. Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody, was joined by federal member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, to mark the occasion on-site.
Carmody highlighted the importance of this phase in the CEP’s development, stating, “The Clean Energy Precinct is central to the Port of Newcastle’s diversification strategy to create the port our community, region, and state need for the future. This phase will identify the infrastructure and services critical to moving the project towards hydrogen readiness.”
When fully developed, the CEP is expected to contribute $4.2 billion to the Hunter Region’s economy and generate 5,800 new jobs by 2040. It will also play a pivotal role in supporting the New South Wales Government’s decarbonisation goals, particularly through the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which promotes renewable energy generation, storage, and investment.
Carmody expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth and NSW Governments for their support, crediting industry partnerships for positioning Newcastle as a leader in clean energy production.
The successful tenderers for the FEED and EIS studies include Lumea, CoNEXA, and GHD (general infrastructure). These studies will help define the site layout and enable the environmental planning approvals necessary for the project.
The CEP aims to facilitate the production, storage, distribution, and export of clean energy, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia. Once completed, the precinct will serve as a hub for clean energy transmission, domestic distribution, and international exports.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, praised the CEP, describing it as a “major economic boost” for the region. She emphasised Newcastle’s historic role in powering Australia and highlighted the importance of this project in ensuring the region continues to lead the energy transition towards net zero.
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the project would create nearly 6,000 local jobs and inject billions into the regional economy, ensuring the Hunter’s energy sector remains at the forefront of the state’s transformation.
State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, underscored the importance of the precinct in the city’s shift away from coal. He expressed confidence in Newcastle’s existing infrastructure and skilled workforce to support this transition.
Lumea’s executive general manager, Craig Stallan, expressed excitement about the collaboration with the Port of Newcastle, calling it a “hugely progressive approach to electrification” that sets a benchmark for other industrial projects across Australia.
Kurt Dahl, CEO of CoNEXA, highlighted the alignment of sustainable water services with the vision of the CEP. CoNEXA’s role will focus on minimising overall water consumption and maximising recycling as the project moves forward.
GHD’s Executive general manager, Dean McIntyre, noted the company’s pride in partnering with the Port of Newcastle. He emphasised the importance of the Hunter region in Australia’s clean energy transition and expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts that will shape the CEP’s development.
The Clean Energy Precinct marks a critical step in the Port of Newcastle’s ambition to lead the charge in renewable energy, bringing lasting economic and environmental benefits to the region
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