Design work, environmental impact studies begin for Clean Energy Precinct

Energy production and transmission will be built under the project.

The Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct has reached a major milestone, following the signing of agreements for its Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies.

Supported by $100m funding from the Australian Government, this will renew a disused 220-hectare industrial site to facilitate clean energy production, storage, transmission, domestic distribution, and international export.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the FEED and EIS studies will cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure and pipelines to berth. 

“The studies will be completed by successful tenderers Lumea (electrical), coNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure, storage, berth and pipelines), informing future site enablement, site layout and land platform design, which will be used to prepare concept planning approvals,” he added.

Pending planning and legislative requirements and timeframes, construction of facilities is expected to begin 2027, with the precinct to be operational from 2030.

“The project will help position Australia as a global leader in technologies and products that reduce carbon emissions including hydrogen and green ammonia," said Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.