Port Bonython

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:04): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: In question time yesterday, I was asked about the EOI for land at Port Bonython, its relationship to the Port Bonython hydrogen hub and the project by the company H2U. H2U was awarded a $4.7 million grant and a $7.5 million loan in February 2018 in the dying days of the former government for a 15-megawatt electrolyser project. The government is proud of the support we have provided to this project over three years, including introduction to key international partners who have then invested in the project.

In November 2020, I approved a deed variation increasing the project size to a 75-megawatt electrolyser located at Cultana. As part of H2U developing its project, the state has given H2U a conditional undertaking to set aside a small portion of the land at Port Bonython for the purpose of its development. This information has been provided in the—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: I'm just getting to the bit that the member needs to know.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: This information has been provided in the information memorandum of the EOI for land at Port Bonython. This information is available—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —to applicants in the EOI process and it is appropriately and publicly disclosed.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader! The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am advised that H2U intends to participate as a proponent in this EOI process, and the subsequent site planning process, and must meet all matters expected of other proponents. The government is supporting development of a Port Bonython hydrogen hub, which was identified in our Hydrogen Export Prospectus and Modelling Tool, which itself was part of the 2019 Hydrogen Action Plan. The government has put out an EOI to ensure that there is an appropriate process and framework to consider the interests of many parties in land at Port Bonython. That EOI document outlines, and I quote, the site's:

…potential to be transformed into a hub for either…'Green Hydrogen' or 'Blue Hydrogen' production and export.

An objective of the EOI is:

…to deliver projects and development which…contribute to Port Bonython as a multi-user export-focused precinct which leverages the State's advantages in renewable energy, fuels and mining.

It is important to provide this information to address the false claims against this process. I am very disappointed that the opposition is talking down the development of the Port Bonython hydrogen hub, which has gained global interest.

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Minister for Education, I call to order the member for West Torrens and I call to order the member for Chaffey.