Australia's Renewable Hydrogen Certification Advances with Opening of Consultation on GO Scheme Rules
Key Ideas
- The Albanese Government's GO Scheme, a cornerstone of the Future Made in Australia plan, will certify the provenance of low-emission products, starting with renewable hydrogen, crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
- GO certificates will enhance transparency by showcasing the emissions produced throughout a product's lifecycle, fostering trust, attracting investments, and making Australian low-emission products competitive in the market.
- The GO Scheme will support government initiatives like the Hydrogen Headstart program and the Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, aiding the growth of new industries, job creation, and helping Australia achieve its net zero goals.
- The ongoing consultation on the GO Scheme rules aims to ensure industry collaboration, high-integrity product accountability, and the unlocking of opportunities for Australian producers to meet the increasing demand for verified low-emission products and renewable electricity.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water in Australia has initiated a consultation process to establish rules that will underpin the Guarantee of Origin (GO Scheme), bringing renewable hydrogen certification closer to implementation. The GO Scheme, a key component of the Albanese Government's Future Made in Australia plan, is an emissions accounting system designed to validate the origin of low-emission products and renewable electricity. The first product category to receive certification under this scheme is renewable hydrogen, essential for reducing emissions in challenging sectors and supporting the expansion of new industries, job creation, and the energy transition.
GO certificates issued through this scheme will provide detailed information on a product's production process and associated emissions, promoting transparency, attracting investments, and enhancing the competitiveness of Australia's low-emission goods. Additionally, the GO Scheme will facilitate access to government programs like the Hydrogen Headstart initiative and the Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, nurturing industry growth and aiding the country in realizing its net zero objectives.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, emphasized the significance of the GO Scheme in positioning Australia as a renewable energy and clean industry leader, offering integrity in product accountability, job opportunities, and support for sustainability goals. The government's collaboration with various stakeholders during the consultation process reflects a commitment to ensuring the scheme's effectiveness for all involved.
Businesses participating in the scheme will be able to acquire Product GO (PGO) and Renewable Electricity GO (REGO) certificates, enabling them to verify product origin and emissions, as well as the source and production details of renewable electricity. The ongoing consultation seeks feedback on aspects such as the methodology for Product GO, regulations on cost recovery charges, and energy storage system considerations for renewable electricity certification.
Interested parties have until July 18, 2025, to submit their input on the GO Scheme rules, with the goal of enabling Australian producers to meet the rising demand for verified low-emission products and renewable electricity, both nationally and internationally.
Topics
Oceania
Renewable Energy
Energy Transition
Job Creation
Government Initiatives
Industry Development
Emissions Accounting
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