We are working with domestic and international partners from across the hydrogen supply chain to develop Queensland’s largest renewable hydrogen project in Central Queensland, with the view to exporting renewable hydrogen via its different carriers, to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large industrial customers in Central Queensland.

Central Queensland hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project commences Front End Engineering Design (FEED)

We are working with Japanese foundation companies Iwatani Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Company, Marubeni, and Singapore headquartered Keppel Infrastructure to undertake a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study for the project, with a commitment of AU$117 million from government and consortium partners.

The FEED study represents the largest investment in an Australian renewable hydrogen project of its kind to date.

Image: CQ-H2 Project FEED Participation Agreement signing ceremony.

The proposed project involves the development of a Hydrogen Production Facility, Hydrogen Transport Facility (hydrogen gas pipeline) and Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility, as well as supply of hydrogen to an ammonia production facility.

If progressed, the project aims to deliver renewable hydrogen via its different carriers, to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large domestic customers in Central Queensland. Commercial operations are planned to commence from 2029.

The purpose of the FEED study is to develop the project’s technical, commercial, and social requirements to enable a Final Investment Decision to be made with confidence. The start of FEED follows the successful completion of a feasibility study in 2022, supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The project has secured FEED funding from all consortium members, as well as $20 million from ARENA, and $15 million from the Queensland Government’s Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.

At its peak, the proposed project will support more than 8,900 new jobs, and will also deliver $17.2 billion in hydrogen exports and $12.4 billion to Queensland’s Gross State Product over its 30-year life. It will also benefit construction, utilities, heavy manufacturing, and a range of local service industries.

The CQ-H2 Project: Harnessing Queensland’s sunshine and wind for a clean future

Key milestones for CQ-H2 Project

  • secured land for the Hydrogen Production Facility through Economic Development Queensland in Aldoga near Gladstone (April 2021)
  • secured funding from the Japanese Government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to support Japanese partners’ contribution to the feasibility study (June 2021)
  • signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CQ-H2 consortium and commenced the feasibility study (September 2021)
  • secured Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding of $2.17 million for the feasibility study (September 2021)
  • Stanwell signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Acciona to source energy from the Aldoga Solar Farm for the CQ-H2 Project (December 2021)
  • secured $69.2 million from the Australian Government for the Stanwell-led Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub, which includes funding for common user infrastructure that will support the CQ-H2 Project (April 2022, confirmed through October 2022 Federal Budget)
  • completed a detailed feasibility study (June 2022)
  • Queensland Government announced FEED funding of $15 million through the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund (June 2022)
  • signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly fund a pre-FEED stage to complete the planning required to commence FEED in early 2023 (November 2022).
  • signed a Participation Agreement with consortium partners to jointly fund the FEED stage to move the project towards FID (May 2023)
  • secured Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding of $20 million for the FEED stage (May 2023)
  • Stanwell signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Acciona to source energy from the Aldoga Solar Farm for the CQ-H2 Project (October 2023)
  • shortlisted for the Australian Government’s $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program (December 2023).

Supporting the growth of Queensland’s renewable hydrogen sector

We are working with government, industry partners and education providers to support the growth of the renewable hydrogen industry in Queensland. This includes investigating opportunities to maximise local workforce and manufacturing development, developing skills and training programs, and supporting renewable energy investment.

Supporting long-term benefits for the Central Queensland region

We are committed to working with the Gladstone community to ensure the project creates long-term benefits for the region, and will continue stakeholder and community engagement activities in Gladstone during the FEED stage.

View the Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project Fact Sheet