Gladstone Region Mayor, Matt Burnett, has welcomed the recent announcement that Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Corp will build an innovative hydrogen pilot plant in the region.
Mayor Burnett, who is currently in Japan on a Trade Mission with the Queensland Premier’s Delegation, welcomed the announcement.
“This is another exciting step towards decarbonising the alumina production process and securing the future of Gladstone’s existing industries with new innovative partnerships,” Mayor Burnett said.
“The Gladstone Region is set to become a renewable energy superpower, so to have Rio Tinto and Sumitomo invest in our region’s future, with the backing of the Australian Government through ARENA, is exactly what our 10-year Economic Transition Roadmap sets out to achieve.
“[The] announcement also demonstrates how major industry, in particular Rio Tinto, is looking at ways to maintain Gladstone’s proud industrial heritage into a new decarbonised future.”
Supported by the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the project – the Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination Pilot Demonstration Program – will involve the construction of a hydrogen plant at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun refinery.
Gladstone Region Deputy Mayor, Kahn Goodluck said, if successful, the Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination Pilot Demonstration Program could pave the way for adoption at a global scale.
“As advocates for the region, we are looking forward to seeing this project progress ahead of a projected opening in 2025,” Cr Goodluck said.
“[The] announcement further emphasises that with the right support and investment, Gladstone can become a leader in renewables and clean industry, making our region an even greater place to live, learn, work and play,” he said.
