About the Australian Hydrogen Council
The Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) is the peak body for the hydrogen industry, with 103 members
from across the hydrogen value chain.
Our members are at the forefront of Australia’s hydrogen industry, developing the technology, skills
and partnerships necessary to build Australia’s hydrogen economy.
Developing a transparent, safe and efficient market for hydrogen
and other renewable gases
While clean hydrogen will undoubtedly play a role in helping Australia to decarbonise, we are still in
the relatively early stages of the development of this industry. We are pleased that the AEMC, is
using the industry’s pre-commercial phase to address regulatory barriers to facilitate the use of
hydrogen in the natural gas system.
The proposed Rules as drafted present an opportunity for natural gas equivalents to play a role in
reducing the emissions from Australia’s gas use. Under the draft Rules, hydrogen and other
renewable gases are subject to similar safety, transparency and consumer protections to natural gas
and by and large, the draft Rules will provide the clarity and certainty required by all parties
choosing to participate in the market.
We note that the Rules do not actively promote the use of hydrogen and other renewable gases
over natural gas. We consider that this approach is appropriate and that the Rules should focus on
the operation of the market while allowing space for other policy mechanisms to drive the
decarbonisation of the natural gas system. A relatively agnostic regulatory framework will allow for
the development of policy to incentivise emission reductions through the use of alternatives to
natural gas, including hydrogen
Consumer engagement
AHC has been extremely active in ensuring that the hydrogen industry gains social licence and
acceptance in communities. We consider that customers are unlikely to experience any material
impact as a result of a change to the composition of their gas supply however, we do not disagree
with the transparency that the proposed changes to the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) will
provide.
Hydrogen is still a relatively unfamiliar commodity to most Australians and consumer attitudes
toward its use are still being shaped. In light of this, we consider that the current gas blending
projects in NSW and South Australia will provide further learnings with regard to the information
requirements of customers using hydrogen blends. AHC has also drafted extensive communications
on behalf of the Australian Government and we suggest that the AEMC direct the AER to engage
with AHC, and take note of current blending projects, as they develop any guideline under 147G of
the NERR.
Summary
AHC welcomes the development of the draft rules to ensure that the natural gas system is ready to
facilitate the carriage and sale of hydrogen and other renewable gases.
Click here to download the submission PDF.
