Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has revealed the final concept design for the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct, signalling the project’s readiness to the global energy market.
Bowen was joined by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody and community members, prospective commercial partners and international investors at a virtual-reality walk-through of the site, where the future design of the precinct was brought to life.
The Clean Energy Precinct will be located on a disused 220ha site on Kooragang Island, just north of Newcastle’s CBD and straddling the south channel of the Hunter River.
With a $100 million investment from the Federal Government committed in the 2022–23 Federal Budget, the Port of Newcastle site will be transformed into a burgeoning industrial hub enabling the production, storage, distribution and export of clean energy products, including green hydrogen and ammonia.
The precinct will integrate clean energy production and storage with the Hunter’s Hydrogen Hub gateway projects, the New South Wales renewable energy zones, and offshore wind developments, which the Fedeal Government said makes it a vital cog in Australia’s net-zero future.
The Port of Newcastle has been progressing Front-End Engineering and Design and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies, backed by community consultation and industry engagement, and the release of designs allow the public and potential commercial partners to visualise the planned layout of the precinct infrastructure.
The precinct infrastructure includes electrical and water services, production facilities, storage, vehicle access, and pipelines for distribution and export.
The EIS will be released publicly later in 2025, and construction of the precinct is expected to break ground in 2027.
King said Australia’s largest coal port is diversifying its offering and preparing to accommodate new and growing industries on the shores of the Hunter River.
“Newcastle has always been one of the most productive industrial centres in Australia, and we’re ensuring its legacy continues with the Clean Energy Precinct.
“It’s crucial that we develop the infrastructure now to be prepared for Australia’s energy future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here on Kooragang Island.”
Bowen said the Hunter has been an industrial and economic powerhouse for decades, making the Port of Newcastle an ideal location for a Clean Energy Precinct that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry and connect Australia’s renewable resources to the world.
“The Federal Government is supporting industrial regions like the Hunter to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that come with reliable renewable energy.”
Claydon said the Clean Energy Precinct will be the jewel in the crown of Newcastle’s future. “It will create thousands of secure and well-paid jobs for Novocastrians, and stimulate the economy of the CBD and surrounds thanks to its central location,” she said.
“Being here today to see the plans first hand fills me with excitement for what the future holds for our city, it’s people, and the greater Hunter region.”
