Question Time

Whyalla Steelworks

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): My question is to the Deputy Premier. What impact will the delay to the GFG Alliance electric arc furnace at Whyalla Steelworks have on the state government's hydrogen plans? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: The media has reported today that the GFG Alliance is finalising the design of the electric arc furnace which, 'is set to be operational in 2027'. This is almost two years later than the original operational date that was announced of 2025.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries) (14:07): I thank the leader for his question, and am happy to take it in lieu of the Minister for Energy and Mining being here today. The short answer to the question is that it does not directly impact the delivery of the government's Hydrogen Jobs Plan. The Hydrogen Jobs Plan being delivered by the government is not contingent on an electric arc furnace being delivered at a point in time at the GFG steelmaking facility.

There is certainly an opportunity for offtake agreements to be reached with the government's hydrogen production facility should industrial users want to use that hydrogen as a source of gas for decarbonising their operations. That certainly remains an opportunity, and we regard that as an exciting opportunity, but that particular electric arc furnace project does not directly impact whether we will deliver the Hydrogen Jobs Plan or when we will deliver the Hydrogen Jobs Plan.