Project overview
The Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2) is a global collaboration involving domestic and international partners from across the hydrogen supply chain who have come together to develop a global-scale renewable hydrogen project near Gladstone in Central Queensland.
CQ-H2 Project Fact SheetCatalyst for the regional decarbonisation
CQ-H2 will act as the catalyst for Australia’s hydrogen future by accelerating the decarbonisation of regional Australia, transitioning the economy away from emissions-intensive activity, anchoring regional economic transition in Central Queensland, and launching a new low carbon export industry.
Capable consortium
The CQ-H2 consortium comprises Japanese foundation companies Iwatani Corporation (Iwatani) and Marubeni Corporation (Marubeni), Singapore’s Keppel Ltd’s Infrastructure Division (Keppel), and Australian energy company Stanwell Corporation Limited (Stanwell).
Australian chemicals manufacturer Incitec Pivot Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2024 with the intent to join the CQ-H2 consortium in support of renewable ammonia development.
FEED funding
CQ-H2 has received financial support from the Australian Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and the Queensland Government’s Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
A Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study is underway with a commitment of $117 million from government and consortium partners, including $20 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and $15 million the Queensland Government. The FEED study represents the largest investment in an Australian renewable hydrogen project of its kind to date.
The project is at an advanced stage with the CQ-H2 consortium nearing completion of a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Study for the Project.
Project delivery
We aim 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.
Initial phase
Commercial operations date
2029
Average tons per day of hydrogen production
200
Hydrogen production facility installed electrolyser size in megawatts
720
Ultimate scale
Commercial operations date
2031
Average tons per day of hydrogen production
800
Hydrogen production facility installed electrolyser size in megawatts
2880
Explore the project components
Hydrogen Production Facility
A Hydrogen Production Facility will be developed at Aldoga, near Gladstone. The Hydrogen Production Facility will produce hydrogen through electrolysis, using electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and/or solar power, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen Gas Pipeline
A 23km underground Hydrogen Gas Pipeline will connect the Hydrogen Production Facility at Aldoga through the Gladstone State Development Area to the two offtake facilities at the Gladstone Port, the Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility and Ammonia Production Facility.
Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility
A Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility will be developed at Gladstone Port. The Hydrogen Liquefaction Facility will liquefy gaseous hydrogen before it is made available for domestic or export use.
Ammonia Production Facility
An Ammonia Production Facility will be developed at Gladstone Port. The Ammonia Production Facility will use gaseous hydrogen as a feedstock to produce renewable ammonia. The renewable ammonia produced will be made available for domestic and export use.
Ship Loading Facilities
Ship loading facilities at Gladstone Port will be developed to facilitate the export of liquid hydrogen and ammonia.
Project timeline
FEED Study
The FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) study for the CQ-H2 project commenced in May 2023 and represents the largest investment in an Australian renewable hydrogen project of its kind to date.
The study was made possible through the commitment of $117 million from government and consortium partners, including $82m from consortium members, $20m from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and $15m from Queensland Government's Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
The purpose of the FEED study is to develop the project’s technical, commercial, and social requirements to enable a Final Investment Decision (FID) to be made.
The FEED study commenced after successful completion of the feasibility study in 2022, supported by ARENA.
CQ-H2 Feasibility Study 2022CQ-H2 is on track to reach a Final Investment Decision for the Initial Phase in mid-2025.
CQ-H2 has engaged key advisers to support the FEED study including engineering, execution, legal, financial, commercial, management advisory, stakeholder and social licence, cultural heritage and native title, primary approvals and water infrastructure advisors.
The detailed work completed to date has de-risked the Project and provides a clear path to FID and project execution.
FEED milestones to date:
The initial engineering design for FEED was completed in August 2024, providing a high level of design definition.
Solar energy for the Initial Phase has been secured with Stanwell to provide 100% of the renewable energy supply.
Hydrogen off-take pathways have been established for initial and future phases, including domestic and export components.
EPBC referrals have been submitted. One Development Approval has been submitted and the remainder are progressively being lodged, on track to be obtained by FID.
Three rounds of community engagement have been completed enabling CQ-H2 to develop a firm understanding of the community’s aspirations and concerns regarding the hydrogen industry. A social impact assessment including key mitigation actions has been developed.
First Nations engagement has been ongoing since 2022. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in April 2024 providing pathway to a meaningful benefits sharing partnership.
Third party infrastructure including land, water, transmission and port access have been secured or are on track to be secured by FID.
A dedicated Queensland Government Joint Project Management Office has been established with support of more than 10 agencies and government owned entities to facilitate the project.
