SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: ReNu Energy Limited’s subsidiary Countrywide Hydrogen Pty Ltd and Australia Pacific Airports (APAL) signed an MoU for the development of a multi-purpose Green Hydrogen Project at Launceston Airport.

Under the terms of the MOU:

• Countrywide will commence project design for an initial project size of up to a 5-megawatt (MW) electrolyser.

• The project design will incorporate installation of a solar array on vacant airport land to provide behind-the-meter (BTM) electricity.

• The project will be designed with potential to scale up as demand increases, allowing for distributed green hydrogen production.

BTM electricity will assist minimise the cost of hydrogen production and the price of hydrogen supplied to customers, making the emissions-free fuel as competitive and attractive as possible.

The MOU was executed at a signing event held at Launceston Airport today. Participating in the event were the Chairman and CEO of Australia Pacific Airports (APAL), the Executive Director and CEO of ReNu Energy, and Tasmania’s Minister for Energy and Renewables, The Hon Guy Barnett.

ReNu Energy Executive Director & Countrywide Managing Director Geoffrey Drucker said: We are incredibly excited by the number of complementary hub opportunities this collaboration could afford Northern Tasmania, including hydrogen refuelling for bus and truck operators looking to decarbonise their vehicle fleet, while offering fuel cell vehicle servicing, maintenance and upskilling.

There is potential for Tas Gas to install a new gas reticulation system at Western Junction delivering a decarbonised natural gas network for TRANSlink, the local commercial and industrial zone, all of which will help Tasmania lead the world in achieving renewable energy selfsufficiency and slashing missions.

APAL CEO Shane O’Hare said: We are pleased to be working with Countrywide Hydrogen to assess the feasibility of the project.

Such a project would support the company’s ambitious emissions reductions targets. We have set a target of net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and this project could help us to achieve that through the provision of solar-powered electricity to produce green hydrogen.

It could also support our vision to develop a logistics hub at Western Junction encompassing road, rail and air.

The ability for heavy transport to refuel here using hydrogen would also support the Tasmanian Government’s emissions reduction targets.

ReNu Energy CEO Greg Watson said: “Off the back of our announcement last week of the term sheet with HESTA for the investment of up to $100 million in our green hydrogen projects, we are excited to launch a green hydrogen project in partnership with Launceston Airport.

This project adds further opportunities for our Southern Tasmania project with the potential for refuelling at both locations and shows the capacity for Countrywide Hydrogen to gain a foothold on green hydrogen production in Tasmania.

The executed MOU is a non-binding strategic framework that is intended to be converted into definitive arrangements as the project progresses.