Frequently Asked Questions

The Clean Energy Precinct is a 220-hectare hub for clean energy generation, storage, and trade, focusing on clean hydrogen and ammonia.

Supported by the Australian Government with $100 million in funding, administered by the NSW Government, the Precinct aims to diversify the Hunter Region and help decarbonise industries across NSW and Australia.

The Clean Energy Precinct will be developed on a 220-hectare site at Kooragang Island, previously an industrial wasteland from the BHP Steelworks.

The site has been remediated, and Port of Newcastle plans to regenerate it for clean energy development.

The Port’s strategic location makes it ideal for clean energy production and export.

The Precinct will be located near three of NSW’s top five energy users and will have access to the Hunter’s gateway projects and the State’s Renewable Energy Zones.

The Port aims to generate over 50% of its revenue from non-coal sources by 2030.

This diversification is driven by its Clean Energy Precinct, the Newcastle Deepwater Container Terminal, and its ESG Strategy.

The project started with Port of Newcastle and received ARENA funding. More recently, it secured a $100-million Commonwealth Government grant. The Port is actively engaging local and international partners to develop and scale the Precinct.

The project is led by Port of Newcastle, which has appointed local consultants GHD, coNEXA and Lumea.

GHD is supporting the statutory approvals process for the project. coNEXA has been appointed to develop the design for the wastewater infrastructure, a key input to hydrogen production, while Lumea is responsible for designing and engineering the electricity supply to the site.

The project involves:

1. Engineering design for construction readiness.
2. Enabling the site to become shovel ready for further development.
3. Developing electricity and water supply utilities.
4. Establishing storage, distribution, and export facilities.
5. Building clean energy production plants for hydrogen, ammonia, and other energy sources.

Subject to planning and legislative approvals, the project aims to enable large-scale clean energy production within the next decade.

Construction of the project is anticipated to commence in 2027 and take around two years to complete. It’s expected the project will be operational in late 2029-2030.

International partnerships will help unlock global markets while also accelerating local clean energy production, job creation, and decarbonisation efforts.

Hydrogen and ammonia production involves renewable energy generation, conversion, and transportation infrastructure, including terminals, storage, and distribution networks.

The Precinct will provide best-practice infrastructure to ensure safe production, storage, and export.

Port of Newcastle prioritises safety in all operations, and is experienced in the management and implementation of the strict handling and safety protocols required for hydrogen and ammonia.

The Port is working with regulatory bodies to assess and mitigate risks, implementing international safety standards to ensure safe export operations.

Yes. Port of Newcastle, the Clean Energy Precinct team and all the organisations involved in the project have extensive expertise and experience in safely generating, storing, and transporting hydrogen and ammonia, as well as other similar products.

PON is fully committed to meeting and exceeding Australian and state safety and environmental regulations, ensuring the highest standards of safety and sustainability.

The CEP is expected to help create thousands of jobs in the region by 2040. Through our partnerships with TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle, the CEP will support secure employment for future generations.