The Tasmanian Government announced its support for a proposed redevelopment of the decommissioned Bell Bay Power Station into a $1.2 billion green methanol and hydrogen plant.
The collaboration between ABEL Energy and Iberdrola under the banner of Bell Bay Powerfuels is another step towards the State Government’s goal of transforming the Bell Bay Precinct into a world-leading green methanol/hydrogen production centre and creating future clean energy jobs.
Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett said this is an exciting opportunity since it not only represents a step towards the development of a new $1.2 billion renewable energy production plant, but also represents an innovative way to redevelop the mothballed oil-fired Bell Bay Power Station, which was built in 1971.
“With our world class wind resource, Tasmania is an ideal location to produce cost-competitive renewable methanol/hydrogen on a large-scale to meet this emerging export and domestic demand and become a global leader in renewable energy supply,” Minister Barnett stated.
“Green methanol/hydrogen can be used to transition advanced manufacturing, heavy transport and energy-intensive industries to renewable energy, as well as for export,’’ Minister Barnett added.
Following an EOI process that began in December 2022, ABEL Energy successfully secured an agreement with Hydro Tasmania as the preferred proponent for the Bell Bay site.
The State Government is optimistic that the Bell Bay Precinct will play an important part in Australia’s affordable clean energy future, fostering continued collaboration among industry, universities, other research institutions, and innovators.
