Tasmania is in real danger of missing out on getting a foot in the door on the important emerging hydrogen industry with Energy Minister Guy Barnett’s trademark missteps and blunders.
Shadow Energy Minister Dean Winter said Government Business Enterprise hearings today confirmed that TasWater had brought everything required to the table for Tasmania to enter the industry but Mr Barnett had caused significant hold ups.
“Under Mr Barnett there’s a predictable blockage because he has punted responsibility for getting critical hydrogen infrastructure off the ground to the Coordinator General,” Mr Winter said.
“The Coordinator General is supposedly charged with reducing red tape but under Mr Barnett, that office is actually now holding everything up.
“TasWater says it will take at least two years to develop infrastructure required for Fortescue Future Industries to access supplies for its world leading green hydrogen plant proposal at Bell Bay.
“FFI has subsequently pushed back its investment until next year.
“At the same time, other states including Queensland are now bounding ahead with their hydrogen developments.
“This is the opportunity for Tasmania to jump on board this significant export opportunity and join this critical revolution in green energy.
“We have seen other states move ahead with hydrogen, including a massive announcement by FFI in Queensland to build electrolysers – a project that could have been Tasmania’s.
“If Mr Barnett doesn’t stop with the indecision and the interfering in areas where he has only limited knowledge, Tasmania will miss out.”
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
