PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government on Wednesday announced financial support of A$2.7 million to bus company Emerald Coaches to test buses powered by renewable hydrogen to transport miners and students in the basin of Bowen.

Acting Prime Minister and State Development Minister Steven Miles said Emerald Coaches would be supported by a Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF) round two grant of AU$35 million.

“The government supports the use of renewable energy for public transportation across the state, including for longer distance travel. This project will demonstrate the commercial viability of transitioning a regional bus fleet to new renewable hydrogen technology,” said Miles.

The project will see Emerald Coaches integrate two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses into its fleet of 120 diesel buses by mid-2023.

“The hydrogen fuel cell electric buses will service school routes and mining sites and will be able to travel hundreds of miles a day on a single tank of hydrogen. Refueling will take place at the company’s Emerald depot and will reflect current diesel refueling time, maintaining operational flexibility.

It is estimated that the total transition to zero emissions will cost 100 million Australian dollars by 2040.

The second round of the HIDF will see over A$20 million allocated to renewable hydrogen technology projects which are expected to support hundreds of highly skilled jobs.

Minister of Energy, Renewable Energies and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Emerald Coaches was the latest addition to the Queensland section of the National Hydrogen Highway that would open up clean energy for home use in heavy transport.

“Projects are progressing across Queensland, from the tip of Cape York to the border with New South Wales, that will allow us to continue to bring cutting-edge energy technology to Queensland,” said De Brenni.

“This is HIDF’s largest investment to date in our growing hydrogen supply chain. The government is investing to establish a thriving, long-term domestic hydrogen industry, giving industry like freight access to low-emission energy options at competitive prices.

“The addition of Emerald builds on the Tri-State Memorandum of Understanding with New South Wales and Victoria and delivers on our commitment to innovation, economic growth and more jobs highly qualified for Queenslanders.”