Line Hydrogen and Bonney Energy have signed an agreement to develop hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in Tasmania.
Both companies, according to a joint statement, will work together to develop opportunities to roll out hydrogen refuelling infrastructure utilising the existing Bonney Energy network of service and refuelling stations in Tasmania.
The new partnership comes off the heels of the 2022 budget, which saw the Federal Government commit $5.5 million to Line Hydrogen as part of their Tasmanian funding initiatives.
Australian owned and operated, Bonney Energy operates throughout Tasmania, as well as metropolitan Melbourne, Western Victoria and Gippsland, Victoria, and is the exclusive distributor of Ampol fuel throughout these regions.
Through Bonney Energy’s extensive network of service stations, on-site refuelling services and fuel storage solutions, the two companies have committed to the green hydrogen-powered, supply chain economy.
The agreement is the first of its kind announced in Australia. For Line Hydrogen, it demonstrates the strategies and cross-industry technology solutions that underpin an industry transition to hydrogen, with support from key partners, such as Bonney Energy.
Line Hydrogen Founder and Executive Chairman, Brendan James, said the development of a hydrogen industry requires a whole of system approach and working together with Bonney Energy will help to close the gap between green hydrogen production and end use.
“When developing our projects, we always take a whole of industry view – looking across the value chain and consider solutions by working with those in the know, and our association with Bonney Energy is important to delivering hydrogen solutions across that value chain,” said James.
Bonney Energy would bring the history, expertise and opportunity to work with Line Hydrogen to develop hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the state according to its CEO, David Miller.
“We’re pleased to be working with Line Hydrogen to roll out opportunities in Tasmania, and potentially more broadly,” he said.
“Hydrogen will be a significant element that fuels the future of Australia’s supply chain and Bonney Energy is looking to play a key role in that transition,” said Miller.
“Bonney Energy has a long and proven history of understanding and meeting the needs of our customers, and look forward to continuing that through this opportunity.”
Under the MOU, the Parties will also identify and progress options for distribution of hydrogen from Line Hydrogen’s initial production plant at George Town in Tasmania, throughout the proposed network including direct delivering to any off-takers and will also investigate the most appropriate methods of storage and distribution of hydrogen.
“Fundamental to any transition is to work with the end-user”, said James.
“It is by working with Bonney Energy on a distribution and public refuelling transition that we will deliver end users with the options they need,” he continued.
James said Australia’s transition to green hydrogen as a deliverable fuel is not something we can achieve on our own.
“It is by working with forward thinking and innovative partners that we can achieve change at the local, national and international level”, he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese first announced his support for Line Hydrogen on the campaign trail in May.
“Hydrogen has enormous potential, and over time Line could build at least five hydrogen refuelling stations in Tasmania, creating jobs right across the state,” he said at the time.
Expectations were that the project would likely be launched to coincide with the commencement of production at Line Hydrogen’s Bell Bay Solar Farm in Tasmania in early 2023.
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