Bowen’s hydrogen mirage has vanished

Green hydrogen. Going, going, gone!

The hydrogen economy, once heralded as the future of clean energy, is unravelling as I write. A few years back, I argued that hydrogen’s promise was overshadowed by practical and economic barriers. Despite the buzz, its high production costs, inefficient storage, and logistical challenges make it a poor fit for widespread adoption.

Everybody knew this except renewables zealots, especially Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.

And just like that, the mirage has vanished.

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Green Hydrogen was meant to be the ‘great hope’ for the decarbonisation utopia – and yet it always sounded convoluted, expensive, and dodgy. If it had not been for the involvement of public money, it is difficult to imagine anyone dabbling in this folly. The one question everyone is asking, as another ten-odd billion dollars vanishes, is why aren’t there any repercussions for the ministers involved in the failure? How can all this money just – die?

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Bowen’s hydrogen mirage has vanished.

Green Hydrogen - the last hope for decarbonisation - will soon vanish in a puff of smoke.

Its high production costs, inefficient storage, and logistical challenges have sunk another project.

Everybody understands why except perhaps Chris Bowen.https://t.co/L33Q75WS46

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) July 2, 2025