Australia's Hydrogen Headstart production credit scheme open to applications
13 Oct 2023, 12:16 pm
Australia has opened applications for its A$2 billion Hydrogen Headstart production credit programme, which is designed to incentivise hydrogen production.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is accepting stage 1 expressions of interest (EOIs) for the scheme until 5pm (AEDT) 10 November.
The scheme offers large Australian-based projects producing renewable hydrogen – or its derivatives, such as ammonia or methanol – a 10-year credit to cover the difference between the cost of production and the market price.
Applicants should create an account on the ARENANET portal, complete an online form and attach documents including project plan, financial model, completed project budget and sources and uses spreadsheet, and other attachments specified in the guidelines (941KB / 36-page PDF).
Applicants will receive the results of their EOIs in January 2024, with successful applicants invited to submit a full application in June and July. Final decisions are expected within four months. The funding will be available in the 2026-27 financial year.
A full application will only be accepted from applicants invited by ARENA following the assessment of the EOIs.
Full applications will be assessed on five competitive criteria: contribution to the programme objectives; applicant capability and capacity; project design and methodology; financial viability and co-funding commitment; and knowledge sharing.
The Hydrogen Headstart scheme was announced by the Australian government in its 2023-24 budget, to help to speed up the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry and to connect to new hydrogen supply chains globally.
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