Labor has chosen Whyalla as the location for its promised $593 million hydrogen power station and storage facility if the party wins the South Australian election this month.
Whyalla is the “perfect location” for a hydrogen power plant in SA, Labor’s Peter Malinauskas says.
The plan includes the development of a 200-megawatt power station to supply cheaper electricity to businesses and factories, an electrolyser to produce hydrogen from renewable energy, and a 3600-tonne hydrogen storage facility.
The details came as the Liberals on Wednesday announced a near $39 million upgrade for schools and a plan to cut school service charges if the government is returned.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said Whyalla was the perfect location for its hydrogen facility given its proximity to key infrastructure and a diverse skills base.
“South Australia already has a strong reputation for leading Australia and the world when it comes to renewable energy and this is our next big leap forward,” he said.
If elected, Labor has committed to forming an expert panel to report back within 90 days to identify the most appropriate parcel of land for the development.
The panel will include representatives from the local Indigenous community along with energy and infrastructure experts.
It will take in a range of factors in choosing a site, including access to adequate water and future export potential for excess hydrogen.
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the project could be “game-changing” for the city, diversifying the local economy and providing a more stable and secure future.
“Over the next decade, we believe Whyalla can be at the epicentre of global green hydrogen development, helping Australia achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” she said.
In the government’s election pledge, Education Minister John Gardner said $38.8 million would be spent to replace old transportable buildings across 20 school sites.
“These upgrades will be delivered over the next four years and represent the first stage in what will become an ongoing program for retiring outdated facilities and upgrading school learning environments,” the minister said.
The government also promised to cut school service charges by $100 a year for the next two years, saving parents about $24 million.
Premier Steven Marshall said money back in the pockets of South Australian families meant they could spend it on what they wanted and needed.
“We know school fees are a huge cost to the family budget and that times are tough for many families as we emerge from COVID-19,” he said.
“My government will do everything it takes to help lower the cost of living for South Australian parents.”
South Australians go to the polls on March 19.
Australian Associated Press,
Source: The Murray Valley Standard
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