Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct project gains ground

Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct (CEP) project has reached a development milestone, with the signing of agreements for front-end engineering designs (FEED) and environmental impact statements (EIS) covering electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure and pipelines to berth.

The FEED and EIS studies will be completed by Lumea (electrical), CoNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure), informing future site enablement, site layout and land platform design, which will be used to prepare environmental planning approvals.

The agreements are funded as part of the Commonwealth government’s A$100 million ($66.89 million) grant for the CEP for hydrogen readiness.

To note, the CEP is expected to enable the production, storage, distribution and export of clean energy such as green hydrogen and green ammonia.

Craig Carmody, Port of Newcastle’s CEO, commented: “The Clean Energy Precinct is central to the Port of Newcastle’s diversification strategy to create the Port that our community, our region, and our state needs for the future. This phase will determine the infrastructure and services critical to the progression of the Precinct’s development and push us further towards hydrogen readiness.”

“Once fully developed, the CEP will contribute $4.2 billion and is estimated to generate 5,800 new jobs to the Hunter Region by 2040, while supporting the NSW Government’s objectives to accelerate decarbonisation and clean energy opportunities by increasing renewable energy generation, storage, and investment under the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.”

The CEP project is one of two key developments in the Australian port’s 2030 diversification strategy. The idea is to create the “port of the future” that will position Newcastle and the Hunter Region as a production, storage and export hub for future clean energy products and technologies including hydrogen and green ammonia.

Sharon Claydon, Federal Member for Newcastle, said: “The Clean Energy Precinct is a major economic boost for our region. Newcastle and the Hunter have powered Australia for Generations. This project makes sure we will continue to do so for generations to come as we lead the transition to Net Zero. Establishing the Port as a hydrogen exporter will ensure good local jobs are protected and created into the future.”

GHD’s Executive General Manager – Australia, Dean McIntyre, said the company is looking forward to working closely with Port of Newcastle, Lumea and CoNEXA, and Lumea’s Executive General Manager, Craig Stallan, congratulated the Port of Newcastle on adopting a “hugely progressive” approach to the electrification of the port, adding that it provides a benchmark for other industrial customers across Australia who are seeking to move towards an electrified future.

Kurt Dahl, coNEXA’s CEO, noted: “As the nominated water services provider for the CEP, we are uniquely positioned to optimise and integrate the various water services to ensure overall water consumption is minimised and recycling is maximised. Sustainable water services are perfectly aligned with the vision of the CEP and will support our region’s transition to a clean energy future.”

To remind, the Port of Newcastle formalized 30 partnerships with domestic and multi-national organizations aimed at advancing the port’s plans of regenerating a 220-hectare parcel of industrial wasteland into a Clean Energy Precinct back in 2023. Lumea and coNEXA were among the signees.