Hydrogen Pilot Plant Official Opening

The Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) Pilot Plant was officially opened on 12 March 2021.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by HESC Project Partners, Japanese, Australian, Victorian state and local government officials, and invited guests.  The ribbon was cut by the Managing Director of J-Power Latrobe Valley, Shinichi Sakuno and by Hirofumi Kawazoe of Hydrogen Energy Australia.  Australian dignitaries included the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Angus Taylor, the Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development, Mr Tim Pallas, and the Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson.

The official opening follows the successful commissioning of the pilot plant operated by HRL with the first hydrogen gas being produced on 23 January 2021, a major milestone for the project.

The project is designed to demonstrate the entire supply-chain from winning of raw feed, production of hydrogen gas (H2) by gasification and purification, liquefying of hydrogen (LH2) at the Port of Hastings, and shipping of the liquefied product to Kobe, Japan.

HRL was represented at the opening by our Chairman, John Clifford, who said, "HRL is thrilled to be working with J-Power towards the development of clean hydrogen fuel".

For more details about the project and HRL's capabilities please visit our industry webpage, Hydrogen.