The two Australian-based companies have partnered to fast track their joint development of up to five hydrogen refuelling stations along the Hume Highway, between Melbourne and Sydney, to support freight and logistics companies transition fleets to hydrogen.

H2 View understands CLARA Energy plans to start operations of what it says could be one of the world’s largest green hydrogen production facilities in Tarcutta, New South Wales (NSW) by 2025.

The Tarcutta facility, could produce 25,000kg of green hydrogen daily in its first phase, with potential scaling possibilities to see production raised to at least 100,000kg per day, the company has said.

H2FA is currently constructing its own large-scale hydrogen refuelling station, which could produce up to 6,500kg of green hydrogen per day, located in Truganina, a major warehouse and distribution region of Melbourne.

The H2FA production facility will initially produce 60-90kg of hydrogen from its 640Kw solar array and electrolyser, with permits in place to dramatically scale up capacity.

Additionally, the partners plan to build further refuelling stations in Epping and Seymour, Victoria, the Southern Highlands, NSW, as well as another major site in Sydney.

The companies have said for every diesel truck which is replaced with a hydrogen alternative, 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be eliminated on a Melbourne to Sydney return journey.

Nick Cleary, CEO of CLARA Energy, said “Creating a green hydrogen production and distribution network along the Hume Highway can help the whole hydrogen industry become viable in Australia.

“We know the Hume is the busiest truck route in Australia and once the major logistics companies know there will be guaranteed supply of hydrogen at a commercially viable price, it will provide even greater confidence to accelerate the transition of their fleets.”

CLARA Energy and H2FA have said they are already in discussions with truck fleet operating regarding plans to transition their existing diesel fleets to hydrogen-powered trucks.

Francesco Ceravolo, Managing Director at Hydrogen Fuel Australia, commented, “What this partnership aims to create, for the first time in Australia, is to deliver green hydrogen production and distribution at scale.

“We believe green hydrogen is necessary to decarbonise heavy freight and ultimately lead to the complete displacement of diesel for green hydrogen.”