The Hunter is in a race to cash in on an emerging global hydrogen market that will be worth an estimated $1.4 trillion by 2050. Goldman Sachs estimates that, if realised, the region's hydrogen exports could eventually replicate if not exceed the value of existing coal exports.
Laying the foundations of the Hunter's hydrogen economy
The investment banking company also estimates that green hydrogen - produced with renewable energy - will reach cost parity with hydrogen produced from gas (blue hydrogen) in some regions by 2025. This would bring the cost of producing a kilogram of green hydrogen to $US1.50.
Not far behind is hydrogen cost parity with diesel in long-haul heavy road transport, which could be reached as early as 2027.