An $18 million project could establish “future fuels” in the region, pushing the Whitsundays towards sustainable tourism thanks to a partnership between council and two renewables companies.
Elvin Group Renewables (Elvin) and Hydrogen Integration Technologies (HiT) are hoping to construct and implement a series of hydrogen-based technological developments in the Whitsundays with the support of the local government.
Joint advocacy between Whitsunday Regional Council and the companies was agreed at an ordinary meeting last week.
The partnership will see developments including a $7.5 million 29-metre ammonia powered, hydrogen fuel cell catamaran named Leonie, suitable for leisure tourism with a capacity of 170 passengers.
The vessel, yet to be constructed, will be powered with ammonia using advanced technology developed and designed in Australia.
Those areas will see the installation of ammonia and hydrogen at two key transportation hubs in the region: the Whitsunday Coast Airport and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.
Whitsunday Regional Council say the “Elvin proposal” delivers on both the future fuel and related infrastructure fronts, with a “clear sustainability outcome.”
Those being the installation of three hydrogen operated generators - under Council ownership – and the provision of a hydrogen car for a trial, a hydrogen bowser at the Whitsunday Coast Airport, creation of local jobs, and upskilling and training in the industry of future fuels.
Councillor Mike Brunker said it “fits very well” with the multi-billion-dollar Korean project announced in Collinsville for a green hydrogen hub.
“If Stage 2 of that project in Collinsville is about producing and exporting from Abbott Point, this will fit like a hand in a glove between those two projects,” Mr Brunker said.
Whitsunday Regional Councillor Al Grundy said it was fair to say that mid-next year, the Whitsundays “could see the first hydrogen vessel moving passengers around the islands.”
Council believe this is the first step to activating the transition to ammonia / hydrogen fuel in the Whitsundays and supporting sustainable tourism.
Hydrogen has become the leading “future fuel” in the global move away from fossil fuels, and Elvin estimates 34.5 tonnes of CO2-e emissions will be avoided per annum through the use of the ammonia and hydrogen vessel, generators and vehicles instead of diesel equivalents, with figures potentially growing with more users.
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