Germany and Australia Launch €400M H2Global Hydrogen Auction Consultation
Germany has opened a public market consultation for a planned €400 million ($468 million) joint green hydrogen auction with Australia under the H2Global mechanism, aiming to close the cost gap slowing global hydrogen deployment. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) will contribute up to €200 million from its Climate and Transformation Fund, matched by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The bilateral tender, developed under a 2023 memorandum of understanding, will use H2Global’s dual-auction model to secure long-term offtake agreements and provide clearer price signals for producers. The consultation, running until February 16, 2026, seeks industry feedback to refine auction design and ensure compliance with EU state-aid rules, as both countries work to accelerate the international scale-up of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.
Hydrogen Emerges as Strategic Response to Australia’s Energy Crisis
As Australia grapples with gas shortages, soaring electricity prices and supply vulnerabilities, clean hydrogen is gaining momentum as a long-term solution to strengthen energy security and accelerate decarbonisation. With abundant solar, wind and geothermal resources, Australia is well positioned to scale green hydrogen production, supporting domestic reliability while opening export opportunities. Market projections underscore strong growth, with the global hydrogen sector expected to expand significantly over the next decade, driven by emissions targets, policy support and industrial demand. Companies such as BPH Energy are increasing their exposure to hydrogen technologies, reflecting investor interest in the sector’s potential. As policymakers seek to diversify the energy mix and stabilise markets, hydrogen is emerging as both an economic opportunity and a strategic pillar in Australia’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Link: https://investingnews.com/hydrogens-role-in-addressing-australias-energy-crisis/
Australia Explores Underground Hydrogen Storage in Adavale Basin
Geoscience Australia has drilled a 3-kilometre-deep borehole into the Adavale Basin in outback Queensland to assess whether thick underground salt deposits can safely store hydrogen gas in artificial caverns. Located beneath the Great Artesian Basin — the primary water source for around 180,000 people — the project is evaluating the Boree Salt deposit as a potential large-scale “underground battery” to address renewable energy storage gaps. Salt cavern hydrogen storage has operated internationally for decades, including in Teesside since 1971, and is considered cost-effective compared to surface infrastructure. A single cavern could store up to 6,000 tonnes of hydrogen (around 100 GWh), though local leaders have raised concerns about groundwater safety. Geoscience Australia will analyse rock core and groundwater samples, with findings expected within six months.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries to Build World’s Largest Liquefied Hydrogen Carrier
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has signed a contract to construct the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen (LH₂) carrier, marking a major step in Japan’s strategy to scale international hydrogen imports. The new vessel will reportedly offer 32 times the storage capacity of the pioneering Suiso Frontier, the world’s first LH₂ transport ship. The project reflects Japan’s long-term plan to establish a global hydrogen supply chain, enabling large-scale maritime transport of cryogenic hydrogen cooled to −253°C. Expanding carrier capacity is considered critical for lowering transport costs and improving the commercial viability of hydrogen imports, particularly as Japan seeks to secure stable clean energy supplies for power generation and heavy industry.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Expands Hydrogen Refuelling with Hydrexia Order
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) has ordered several mobile hydrogen refuelling stations from Malaysia-based Hydrexia as it seeks to accelerate hydrogen mobility in Australia. Hydrexia, known for its skid-mounted and transportable hydrogen refuelling systems, will also provide maintenance services, though deployment locations and station numbers remain undisclosed. The move follows TMCA’s 2025 launch of the Hydrogen Transport Forum alongside BMW and Hyundai, aimed at lobbying for supportive policy, infrastructure funding and supplier collaboration. While hydrogen refuelling infrastructure has expanded—particularly for heavy-duty transport—utilisation rates have often fallen below expectations, creating commercial challenges. Toyota’s investment in flexible, mobile refuelling solutions signals a cautious but strategic approach to developing Australia’s early-stage hydrogen transport ecosystem.
Australian Renewable Energy Hub Secures ARENA Funding After BP Exit
The Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), led by InterContinental Energy, has secured A$21m (US$14.7m) in funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance project development, despite BP’s withdrawal from the partnership last year. InterContinental Energy has confirmed it now holds full ownership of the flagship Western Australia megaproject, which aims to combine vast wind and solar resources to produce large-scale green hydrogen and derivatives for export. The government grant signals continued public backing for strategic hydrogen infrastructure, even as private-sector participation in mega-projects faces volatility. The funding will support further technical studies, planning and development activities as AREH seeks to move toward final investment readiness.
Stralis Aircraft Expands European Partnership with EVIA AERO
Stralis Aircraft has secured a second major commitment from EVIA AERO, marking the largest single-customer fleet agreement for hydrogen-electric aircraft conversions to date. EVIA AERO has committed to five Bonanza-A36-HE retrofits, strengthening its strategy to deploy zero-emission regional aviation across Europe, particularly for island connections in the Mediterranean and the North and Baltic Seas. Stralis is currently using two Bonanza A36 aircraft as hydrogen-electric testbeds, including a 200-kW demonstrator expected to conduct the first piloted hydrogen-electric flight in the Southern Hemisphere from Brisbane Airport. In parallel, EVIA AERO plans to operate hydrogen-electric Beechcraft 1900D aircraft (19 seats) as the backbone of a decentralised, point-to-point regional network powered by locally produced green hydrogen and renewable electricity. Deliveries under the new agreement are targeted from 2029, aligned with the rollout of airport-based hydrogen and photovoltaic energy systems, signalling growing commercial momentum for hydrogen-electric aviation in Europe’s regional markets.
Airbus and Qantas Back Hamr Energy to Scale Green Hydrogen-Derived Fuels
Australian start-up Hamr Energy has secured A$10m (US$7.1m) in investment from Airbus and Qantas to accelerate development of low-carbon liquid fuels (LCLF), including green hydrogen-derived methanol aimed at decarbonising aviation and shipping. The company says its approach will focus on delivering competitively priced, low-carbon fuels at scale, targeting hard-to-abate sectors where direct electrification is not feasible. The backing from a major aircraft manufacturer and a flagship airline signals growing industry alignment around synthetic fuels produced from renewable hydrogen as a practical pathway toward net-zero operations, particularly for long-haul aviation and maritime transport.
Port of Newcastle Advances Green Hydrogen Hub After FEED Completion
The Port of Newcastle in New South Wales has completed Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) work for its proposed Clean Energy Precinct (CEP), marking a major step toward developing a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia export hub. The project is designed to utilise approximately 1.5 GW of renewable energy and recycled water (around 22 million litres) to produce green hydrogen and derivatives, with operations targeted for 2029–2030. Backed by roughly US$69 million in federal funding alongside a US$6.4 million port contribution, the FEED phase has refined infrastructure requirements, site layout and engineering specifications ahead of environmental approvals and tendering. Once operational, the hub aims to reposition Newcastle as a key renewable energy export gateway, strengthening Australia’s role in global green hydrogen supply chains while supporting domestic decarbonisation goals.
Link: https://energiesmedia.com/port-of-newcastle-feed-work-green-hydrogen-new/