Lion Energy has signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Port of Brisbane for a long-term lease of land within the port, where it intends to build and operate its first H₂ generation and refueling hub. The hub is geared towards heavy mobility fleets with an early focus on supplying domestic public bus fleets, and Lion believes it will be the first of its scale in Queensland, Australia. The HoA is subject to binding contract and PBPL Board approval, expected in April 2023.

The port is Australia’s third largest and fastest growing multi-cargo port, and Queensland’s largest general cargo port. The Port of Brisbane handles about $37 B of international cargo each year, equivalent to approximately 32 MMt. The port handles about 95% of Queensland’s containers and 95% of all motor vehicles imported into the state.

As the first site of a wider network, the Port of Brisbane project constitutes a major step in Lion’s H₂ strategy. Lion has undertaken extensive due diligence on the site, including proximity to target markets. The expected commissioning of this project is in Q1 2024.

“The location at Port of Brisbane is highly strategic due to its proximity to the majority of Brisbane 70+ bus depots, and also the significant heavy vehicle traffic to and from the port,” said Tom Soulsby, Lion’s Executive Chairman. “Our site will initially produce and dispense some 420 kg/d of green H₂.”

The facility at the port will include all equipment required to generate and dispense green H₂, and the ability to load compressed H₂ onto tube trailers for transportation to other sites, spoke and depots. Lion is finalizing the procurement of key equipment, including electrolyzer and dispensing packages, and have started the process to seek relevant development approvals.