Once touted as a cornerstone of South Australia’s green energy future, the Premier has again distanced himself from the promised hydrogen plant and storage facility in Whyalla. The uncertainty adds to the challenges facing the town, already struggling with setbacks at its steelworks and mine.
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00:00Shovels in the ground for one project, but concerns for another.
00:07Instead, attention turning to the state government's proposed $600 million hydrogen plant and storage
00:13facility in Wyala.
00:14There are more shovels in the ground at this construction site here than up there at the
00:18moment.
00:19The Premier again stopping short of confirming the project's future, but affirming his commitment
00:24to Wyala.
00:25Now we've got to look at all the circumstances that are before us and make sure that every
00:28dollar that we invest, all of which will be invested and some, in Wyala, is spent in
00:34a way that gets the best possible outcome for the Wyala community.
00:37Under the plan, the city's steelworks would be the hydrogen facility's major customer.
00:42But challenges from a halt to production last year, job losses and unpaid bills, has the
00:47government nervous about GFG Alliance transitioning to green steel.
00:51If we're producing hydrogen and there isn't a customer at the steelworks for that hydrogen,
00:55it begs the question is there a better way to sequence the program.
00:58On the ground in Wyala, concerns continue.
01:01I think the feeling around town, it's just a matter of time now before it just falls apart.
01:07Wyala's mayor acknowledges the growing concerns, but says the government's told him it's committed
01:12to the city's hydrogen future.
01:14We have been reassured that they are still committed to hydrogen.
01:18No question, they are committed.
01:19GFG has again in a statement spoken of its preparation to ramp the steelworks up to full
01:24production.
01:25It says it's resolute in its commitment to Wyala and a transition to green iron and steel.