The Port of Newcastle's Clean Energy Precinct (CEP) project has achieved a significant development milestone by signing agreements for front-end engineering designs (FEED) and environmental impact statements (EIS). These agreements cover essential elements such as electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure, and pipelines. The studies will be conducted by Lumea (for electrical infrastructure), CoNEXA (for water services), and GHD (for general infrastructure). The findings from these studies will inform future site layouts and designs, aiding in the preparation of environmental planning approvals.

This phase of the project is supported by the Commonwealth government’s A$100 million ($66.89 million) grant aimed at ensuring hydrogen readiness for the CEP. The initiative is designed to facilitate the production, storage, distribution, and export of clean energy sources, including green hydrogen and green ammonia.

Craig Carmody, CEO of the Port of Newcastle, emphasized that the Clean Energy Precinct is crucial to the port’s diversification strategy, aiming to meet the future needs of the community, region, and state. He noted that this phase will identify the infrastructure and services necessary for the CEP’s development, moving it closer to becoming hydrogen-ready.

Once fully operational, the CEP is projected to contribute A$4.2 billion to the local economy and create an estimated 5,800 new jobs in the Hunter Region by 2040. It will also support the New South Wales Government's goals to accelerate decarbonization and expand clean energy opportunities, thereby increasing renewable energy generation and investment as outlined in the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

The CEP is one of two pivotal projects in Newcastle's 2030 diversification strategy, aiming to transform the port into a hub for the production, storage, and export of future clean energy technologies, including hydrogen and green ammonia.

Sharon Claydon, the Federal Member for Newcastle, highlighted the CEP as a significant economic advantage for the region, stating that it ensures Newcastle, and the Hunter will continue to play a vital role in powering Australia as it transitions to a net-zero future. She noted that establishing the port as a hydrogen exporter will safeguard and create local jobs.

GHD’s Executive General Manager for Australia, Dean McIntyre, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the Port of Newcastle, Lumea, and CoNEXA. Craig Stallan, Lumea’s Executive General Manager, commended the port for adopting a forward-thinking approach to electrification, setting a standard for other industrial operations in Australia aiming for an electrified future.

Kurt Dahl, CEO of CoNEXA, stated that as the designated water services provider for the CEP, they are in a unique position to enhance water service integration, minimizing consumption and maximizing recycling. This aligns perfectly with the CEP's vision for a sustainable transition to a clean energy future.

In 2023, the Port of Newcastle established 30 partnerships with various domestic and multinational organizations to transform a 220-hectare area of industrial wasteland into the Clean Energy Precinct. Lumea and CoNEXA were among the partners involved in this initiative.