Mr BAYLEY – On the hydrogen hub, and particularly Paladin Hydrogen. Paladin is the proponent of a contentious coal mine on the east coast, lease number 4M/2012, and wants to use that coal to create hydrogen. The company has previously indicated that it has been receiving support from the Rockliff government to find a site for the hydrogen plant component of the project. Can you explain and confirm if government’s been providing any assistance to Paladin or to HardRock Coal Mining?
Mr DUIGAN – For detail on that, I will potentially ask the CEO of ReCFIT to detail whether he’s had conversations there.
Mr BOWLES – We understand that they are exploring the potential for Tasmanian coal resources to be used in their production of hydrogen. That is a commercial prospect that they are pursuing. I would add that the Tasmanian or the ReCFIT hydrogen strategy, including the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub strategy, is focused on green hydrogen from renewable sources. ReCFIT’s focus is on projects that are sourced from renewable sources.
Mr BAYLEY – The question then is, is anyone giving Paladin or HardRock Coal Mining assistance?
Mr BOWLES – I understand that, over a period of about two years, there have been some meetings across different parts of government, but as far as I’m aware, there has been no more proactive assistance than that.
Mr BAYLEY – Just to be clear, it sounds pretty clear and I welcome that you’re absolutely rejecting that basically coal-fired hydrogen could be considered green. Would this kind of project be excluded from the Bell Bay Green Hydrogen Hub as a result? Have you had that conversation and made it abundantly clear that this company, if it is going to fire its operations with coal, isn’t welcome in a Bell Bay Green Hydrogen Hub? It shouldn’t have access to the infrastructure resources we have just been talking about and, really, we should be telling it that it’s got no place in Tasmania at all.
Mr BOWLES – The work that we’re doing to provide multiple-use infrastructure into Bell Bay for the Green Hydrogen Hub will be designed around green hydrogen proponents ‑ one or more – that are sourcing from renewable sources.
In terms of access to that infrastructure for other uses, including non‑hydrogen uses or other industrial uses, that would be a matter to determine in the future.
Mr DUIGAN – The advice that I have here is, for hydrogen proponents to be eligible to participate in the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub, they will need to be able to verify their green credentials, and this is especially important for international export.
Mr BAYLEY – How do you define that though? With respect, minister, we don’t have a lot of confidence in the Tasmanian government’s judgment when it comes to their sustainability and what is green and what isn’t. What’s the definition there? What’s the line that it crosses? Would you accept coal, in part, as being a contributor in the energy mix?
Mr DUIGAN – I would say that it’s difficult to find the green credentials in coal.
Mr BAYLEY – I welcome that.
