QLD Kogan renewable hydrogen facility marks new major milestone

Following its announcement in March of this year, the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant development near Chinchilla, Queensland marked a significant milestone prior to the beginning of construction. 

Queensland companies CS Energy and Senex Energy have signed a deal to form a joint venture to produce green hydrogen that will fuel the latest stop on the east coast Hydrogen Superhighway. 

“Green hydrogen is key to diversifying our energy sector, building on our long-term energy know-how in regional Queensland and attracting significant international investment in job creating heavy manufacturing. 

“This green hydrogen will be used in the latest stop on our Hydrogen Superhighway established with New South Wales and Victoria and help develop Australia’s energy independence via the transport sector. 

“CS Energy and Senex Energy are both Queensland companies with complementary skills and experience and this means we can bring their more than 60 years of collective experience together to stake a claim in the growing hydrogen sector,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said. 

Render of the project site (source: Queensland Government)

The partnership between the two companies will contribute to the success of the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant as well as support the State’s ambitions to lead in hydrogen and renewable energy resources. 

As part of the joint venture, CS Energy will operate and hold 75 per cent equity of the project and Senex Energy will hold the remaining 25 per cent. 

“Senex Energy’s experience in the gas sector will be invaluable during the demonstration and as we evaluate future opportunities to increase renewable hydrogen production to commercial scale. 

“CS Energy is excited to welcome Senex Energy as our partner at this key point in the project as we move to the construction phase later this year. 

“There is a strong strategic alignment between CS Energy and Senex Energy around the opportunities the energy transformation will bring, enabling us to explore partnerships on other projects,” CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills said. 

Senex Energy’s participation in the delivery of the Kogan project underlined the company’s commitment to supplying reliable, affordable and sustainable energy that is vital to boosting the economy and creating jobs. 

“To ensure Queensland’s and Australia’s energy security, and reach net zero targets, we need all forms of energy to work together. The natural gas sector is the ideal partner for development of a renewable hydrogen industry and that’s why we’re investing in this project. 

“Producing new sources of energy requires strong c0-operation between all stakeholders and Senex Energy looks forward to working with CS Energy and the Queensland Government to develop the capabilities required for the future energy system,” Senex Energy Chief Executive Officer Ian Davies said. 

Render of the project site (source: Queensland Government)

The Queensland Government has invested $28.9 million towards the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, which is part of the $2 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund. 

The Kogan project will include the co-location of a solar farm, battery, hydrogen electrolyser, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen storage and out loading facility. 

The new plant is going to be built next to CS Energy's Kogan Creek Power Station and IHI Engineering Australia – a subsidiary of IHI Corporation Japan – has been awarded the contract to build it. 

Construction on the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant is due to begin in September 2022. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; CS Energy (1, 2)