“Without a national water strategy, there is no national hydrogen strategy”
Water will be a critical ingredient for the future hydrogen industry – yet it is often taken for granted. Water is referenced in the 2019 National Hydrogen Strategy, along with the need to balance water availability and resources and community concerns raised about water security in focus groups.
In reality, however, there has been limited engagement with water providers, and this varies around the country. This needs to change if Australia’s hydrogen ambitions are to be met, as water availability and the timelines for water planning can present real risks.
The National Hydrogen Strategy should be a robust, informative reference on all aspects of hydrogen, with clear guidance for proponents on how governments and communities expect hydrogen to evolve. We make 16 recommendations to address the need for better, proactive collaboration with water providers and governments.
