THE BELL Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone is one of the successful applicants of National Energy Resources Australia’s seed funding program. BBAMZ was granted $100,000 to form a regional hydrogen technology cluster.

Tasmania energy minister Guy Barnett said the grant would help further underpin the state’s renewable energy future.

“The development of a hydrogen cluster around key hydrogen projects and infrastructure hubs, or in regions that will service those hubs will help to enhance local cohesion, capability, and efficiency in the hydrogen value chain,” he said.

“This could mean that Tasmanian companies become better placed to supply new technologies, products and services in an emerging hydrogen industry.”

Mr Barnett said, “As an advanced manufacturing zone with abundant renewable energy availability, appropriate infrastructure, water availability and port access, it is effectively hydrogen ready, and presents a perfect investment choice”.

NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said, “Tasmania has a fantastic opportunity to be a world-leader in hydrogen development and has made significant advances with a legislated 200% renewable energy target, support for hydrogen project feasibility studies and its development of a statewide hydrogen industry network. I’d like to congratulate the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone for seizing this opportunity and look forward to them joining NERA’s national network.”

The announcement of the seed funding for the BBAMZ cluster further strengthens the opportunity for industry development in this industrial hub, and complements the three feasibility studies being supported by our Government’s Hydrogen Funding Program which are also located at Bell Bay.

Tasmania aims to be an exporter of hydrogen by 2030.