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Kellie O'Callaghan as Mayor of Latrobe City welcomes Japanese pledge to establish large-scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain

The announcement of $2.35 billion AUD investment to establish an international large-scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain is significant for not only Latrobe, but for the state of Victoria and Australia.

By news@gippsland - 7th March 2023 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council welcomes the Japanese government's announcement of a $2.35 billion AUD investment to establish an international large-scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Japan. The investment by the Japanese government shows confidence in the world's first pilot project which successfully demonstrated that brown coal extracted from the Latrobe region's coal reserves can be used in the production of clean liquid hydrogen and support carbon capture and storage.

Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Cr Kellie O'Callaghan as she welcomes the Japanese government pledge to establish large-scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain

Towards clean energy

Large-scale new investment, such as this, supports the region's future economic growth, through the creation of new industry, as the local economy transitions from a reliance on traditional energy and manufacturing industries.

Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Cr Kellie O'Callaghan said diversification of industry will reignite the region's role in the energy sector and position Latrobe as a key player in global emission reduction as Australia works towards a clean energy transition.

"Latrobe City is uniquely positioned with large brown coal resources and a skilled workforce, along with a long and proud history of generating electricity for more than 100 years for the state of Victoria," said the Mayor.

Ideal for hydrogen production

Cr O'Callaghan said, "We have a highly skilled workforce informed by a strong capacity to adapt to new and emerging industries which provides Latrobe with a competitive edge. This combined with the region's major energy infrastructure and a brown coal resource, which has minimal to no methane making it ideal for hydrogen production, places Latrobe at the forefront of future hydrogen projects and a hydrogen economy."

"The Japanese government's investment will enable the pilot project to advance to a commercial demonstration project, which will likely provide wider economic benefits for the region. We are encouraged by the consortium of industry partners, from Japan and Australia, who have the confidence to invest in Gippsland and Latrobe."

"We look forward to being briefed on the specifics of the investment and project and learning how this will support Latrobe's continued transition with a coordinated approach to investment in new energy." Cr O'Callaghan said.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com