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Central Queensland will host Australia’s inaugural Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP), a school-based science and engineering program that fosters the renewable energy experts of the future.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the H2GP program takes off in Term 4, providing students the knowledge and skills needed to consider a career in Queensland’s renewable technology sector.

“We’re thrilled to play a part in bringing this internationally renowned program to Australia, and to be launching it in Central Queensland,” Minister Grace said.

“It was only recently that I was in Gladstone to announce the Palaszczuk Government is funding a manufacturing and technology precinct at Gladstone State High School, as part of an $18 million investment, so generating more interest in green energy with local students is just fantastic.”

Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the recently announced Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan highlighted the government’s commitment to providing the skills needed for Queensland’s clean energy future.

“Gladstone is well on the way to becoming a clean energy powerhouse, and kids we can nurture here, into home-grown hydrogen experts is what bringing this program to Central Queensland is all about,” Mr Butcher said.

“The H2GP delivers on key priorities in the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024, including building community awareness and facilitating skills development for new technologies.”

Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum made the announcement at the Energy, Environment and Our Sustainable Future Showcase in Gladstone, on Saturday.

“Through the program, students will gear up to design, build and race hydrogen-powered remote-controlled cars, in turn, teaching them about environmental sustainability, renewable energy and alternative fuels,” he said.

“Programs such as H2GP inspire young Queenslanders to pursue exciting careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“STEM careers will make up many of Queensland’s future jobs, supporting better services and great lifestyles in the years to come.”

The inaugural H2GP will see 12 teams from 7 Central Queensland schools participate in the program with other Queensland schools from Townsville and Southeast Queensland also participating in this inaugural Australian H2GP.

“We would like to see the event expand to include more schools and teams in the future,” Mr McCallum said.

The H2GP program, created and delivered by Horizon Educational, encourages 21st century skills and provides opportunities for students to enrich their STEM learning by competing with like-minded students at regional, state, national and international levels.

Director of APAC at Horizon Educational Ales Rakovsky said Horizon Educational recently established its APAC office in Queensland.

“We recognise the sunshine state as a significant renewable energy hub in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to hosting the inaugural Australian H2GP Finals in Gladstone this coming year,” Mr Rakovsky said.

The Queensland Government is proud to partner with Central Queensland University (CQU) and industry partners including Stanwell, ABB, Ark Energy and the schools, to host the inaugural Australian H2GP in Central Queensland. Central Queensland University is taking the lead on bringing schools and teams on board with the program.

Associate Vice-President of CQU for the Gladstone and Wide Bay Campuses, Luke Sinclair, said CQU was thrilled to be collaborating with key stakeholders to bring this event to the region.

“We look forward to supporting this event over the long-term and seeing the youth and community engagement and skills development in the hydrogen industry that will be fostered by this exciting program,” Mr Sinclair said.

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said Stanwell was proud to be a key partner of Central Queensland H2GP for the next three years.

“The energy market is changing, and so are we,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Educational programs like H2GP that encourage the next generation of Queensland energy workers is important to the sustainability of our business and the communities in which we operate.

“We’re working together with government, our customers, our communities and our people to transform our business, and bring long-term economic prosperity and jobs to Queensland.”

The program will culminate with the inaugural Australian H2GP, a four-hour race in Gladstone on 21 April 2023. Teams from Victoria, Townsville and Southeast Queensland will be competing against the twelve local Gladstone teams.