Infrastructure WA

47. Support the development of the state’s hydrogen industry by:

1. accelerating the reform of legislation, standards and policies 
2. investigating options for stimulating domestic market demand, as a precursor to establishing export industry demand
3. investigating the feasibility of a hydrogen refuelling network on key freight routes across the state through the planned detailed supply chain model for renewable hydrogen
4. publicly reporting the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap’s actions on an annual basis, including timing, available funding and transition pathways such as the role of blue hydrogen 
5. investigating the feasibility of, and prioritising large-scale hydrogen industry precincts that leverage energy, water and transport infrastructure, a skilled workforce and market proximity, including:
   1. consistent with Recommendation 43a, developing energy consumption and generation projections, for use in the Whole of System Plan modelling, to determine the need for energy infrastructure to enable hydrogen precincts, such as the Mid West Transmission Line
   2. coordinating activities for development readiness of precincts across environment, heritage, planning and tenure matters  
   3. consistent with Recommendation 40 in the Infrastructure delivery chapter, establishing a clear policy position on the role of government and the private sector in funding, financing and delivering enabling infrastructure to support the hydrogen industry (including factors such as seed funding, co-investment and cost recovery)
   4. developing and implementing a staged program of hydrogen industry enabling infrastructure including publicly and privately funded upgrades or new infrastructure for energy networks, refuelling stations, water and transport infrastructure. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 47 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.