Countrywide Hydrogen originates renewable hydrogen projects to meet emission-free targets.
Green hydrogen is the fuel of the future.
And the future is now.
Latest News
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, projects, reports and media releases here.
Our Hydrogen HyWay Model
With road transport accounting for around 20% of Australia’s emissions and heavy vehicles almost entirely dependent on imported diesel, Countrywide Hydrogen is developing its infrastructure under the banner of Hydrogen HyWays.
A Hydrogen HyWay is designed by analysing real road freight data to identify the corridors where heavy vehicles operate most intensively, linking regional Australia with ports, industrial centres and major cities. Along these high volume freight routes, Countrywide strategically locates integrated hydrogen production and refuelling facilities, providing the heavy transport sector with reliable, easy access to domestically produced green hydrogen.
The focus is not standalone refuelling stations, but the creation of a connected freight fuel ecosystem that can support high utilisation, long distance and payload critical operations where productivity matters.
Tasmania will deliver Hydrogen HyWay #1, establishing a north–south refuelling backbone across the state. This initial deployment will serve as a practical showcase for how the model can be replicated on mainland Australia – and scaled internationally – to strengthen fuel security while reducing transport emissions.
Emerge, Renew, Transform.
Our Projects
Hydrogen Bell Bay, Tasmania
The Bell Bay project will utilise renewable electricity to power electrolysis, producing green hydrogen for local heavy vehicle fleets, industrial users, and future commercial transport applications. Designed to scale over time, the facility will initially support domestic hydrogen demand before growing into a larger production site capable of meeting broader industry needs.
Countrywide is working closely with the Tasmanian Department of State Growth’s Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub to deliver this project as our first to market in the state.
The project is supported by an $8 million Tasmanian Government investment through the Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme (GHPRS), which aims to reduce the sale price of green hydrogen to levels competitive with conventional fuels, accelerating uptake among end users seeking zero-emission alternatives.
Hydrogen demand in the Launceston precinct will be supplied by tub-trailer from the Bell Bay facility.
Hydrogen Devonport, Tasmania
The northernmost hydrogen production and refuelling site is at Wesley Vale, near Devonport. This facility will service the road transport sector that collects and delivers goods from and to the two ports at Burnie and Devonport. Grid and water connectivity in the precinct is available as is road access for refuelling. Behind-the-meter power generation is available at both sites.
Road transport operations in the north of the state head southwards to Hobart via Launceston with Hydrogen HyWay #1 servicing all locations and the key transport corridor in the state.
Hydrogen Brighton, Tasmania
As part of Hydrogen Hyway #1, the Brighton/Bridgewater project of initially 5MW near Hobart, is unique in that it will produce and supply green hydrogen directly to industrial customers, some seeking to operate on 100% hydrogen which is a national first. Buses and trucks will also be supplied with hydrogen either at CH’s refuelling station integrated with the hydrogen production facility, or delivered in tube trailers to their respective depots.
Supplying green hydrogen to domestic customers will create investment in infrastructure such as refuelling stations and fuel cell service centres, develop new skills in the maintenance and service of fuel cell vehicles, and eliminate harmful emissions while reducing Tasmania’s reliance on imported fuels.
Hydrogen Portland, Victoria
At Portland in Victoria’s southwest, Countrywide is developing a renewable hydrogen project, Stage 1 of which is targeted to be a 5MW electrolyser supplying hydrogen to local industrial, mobility and gas customers. The second stage will expand the project to supply hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives to the export markets of Japan and Korea, where there is strong interest in collaboration from their respective trading companies.
Portland was selected as a project site because of the strong electrical infrastructure that was established to support Alcoa’s aluminium smelter, the Port of Portland’s infrastructure, and the scale of wind projects in the area now and in the future. With a 1GW offshore wind farm close to Portland to be constructed by Alinta Energy, large-scale hydrogen production has a big long-term future.
Offtake opportunities in this “Green Triangle” are strong with road transport interests servicing the timber, dairy, livestock and manufacturing sectors keen to reduce their Scope 3 emissions. The Green Triangle takes in the Limestone Coast area of South Australia and provides the foundation precinct for a potential Hydrogen Hyway from Adelaide to Melbourne.
Hydrogen Melbourne, Victoria
Victoria is Countrywide’s next priority state for Hydrogen HyWay development, positioning the state to strengthen fuel security and supply chain resilience. An initial network of 12 hydrogen production and refuelling facilities is planned to connect regional centres with Melbourne and extend along key freight routes into South Australia (SA) and New South Wales (NSW). Discussions are progressing with both state governments to build an integrated, cross-border hydrogen refuelling network.
Victoria’s export-driven economy, where approximately 80% of produce is transported to market, relies heavily on road freight. This dependence elevates the strategic importance of secure, reliable fuel supply. Locally produced green hydrogen offers a pathway to reduce exposure to imported fuels while improving energy independence for critical freight corridors.
Countrywide is also supporting, at request, Powering Australia’s initiative to establish a Transport Innovation Precinct near Dandenong in Melbourne’s south-east, a key heavy transport corridor. The proposed precinct is designed to incorporate hydrogen production and refuelling, strengthening local supply capability and supporting resilient freight operations.
The Port of Melbourne, Australia’s largest container port, is a critical node in the national supply chain, with around 3,000 trucks servicing the port each day. Decarbonising and securing fuel supply for this task is central to maintaining reliable freight flows, while reducing emissions in neighbouring residential areas.
Hydrogen Melbourne has the potential to serve as a foundational hub, underpinning the development of Hydrogen HyWays across the eastern seaboard and supporting a more secure, domestically powered freight network.
About Us
Building Australia's hydrogen ecosystem
Countrywide Hydrogen Holdings is a privately owned Australian company, led by Directors Geoffrey Drucker, Inge Drucker and Boyd White.
We are building domestic hydrogen infrastructure of green hydrogen production and supply infrastructure to meet growing domestic demand, particularly in sectors where decarbonisation is most challenging or fuel supply uncertain. Our foundation projects are in Tasmania, Australia’s greenest state, providing a strong base from which to scale reliable hydrogen supply across the mainland.
Australia’s heavy transport sector is one of Australia’s largest sources of emissions and remains dependent on imported fossil fuels, exposing freight and essential supply chains to price volatility, geopolitical risk and disruption. With hydrogen‑powered and hydrogen‑hybrid vehicles now commercially available, Australia has a timely opportunity to establish a secure, locally produced alternative zero-emission fuel for long‑haul and high‑duty applications.
Countrywide Hydrogen is addressing this challenge by developing an end‑to‑end hydrogen ecosystem integrating production, storage, distribution and refuelling to give transport operators the confidence that fuel supply will be reliable, scalable and fit for purpose. Our model is designed to support fleet transition while improving resilience across Australia’s freight and logistics networks.
All of our projects are based on our foundation pillar methodology, requiring:
A guarantee of origin renewable energy, targeting high-capacity availability at an acceptable price
Hydrogen or hydrogen derivative offtakes
Access to clean water
Land available near a deep-water port for large-scale projects with supporting infrastructure
Positive regulatory and approvals environment
Availability of project-based Government funding
Our history
Countrywide Hydrogen (formerly Countrywide Renewable Energy) was founded in 2015 by clean energy specialists Geoffrey and Inge Drucker, driven by a shared vision to make a meaningful contribution to a lower‑emissions future.
The company’s first project, the 27 MW Wangaratta Solar Farm, established a strong foundation in delivering large‑scale energy assets and understanding the operational realities of energy supply.
In 2018, the release of Dr Alan Finkel’s Hydrogen for Australia’s Future report prepared for the Commonwealth highlighted hydrogen’s potential to play a strategic role in Australia’s long‑term energy security and fuel resilience. In response, the company refined its focus and adopted a new direction dedicated solely to the origination and development of renewable hydrogen projects.
Today, Countrywide Hydrogen has five renewable hydrogen projects underway. Three are in Tasmania and two in Victoria, positioning the company to support domestic fuel supply for heavy transport, industry and critical services. This portfolio is complemented by a growing pipeline of projects under development across Australia’s vast continent.
The Way We Do Business
At Countrywide Hydrogen, we energetically pursue excellence in all that we do.
And we firmly believe that we should make a meaningful contribution to the environment and the communities that we work with and within.
In all our business operations, and in every interaction, we act with transparency, honesty, clear communication, and collaborative decision making.
We call this The Countrywide Hydrogen Way. It ensures all our stakeholders know and understand the values and principles that underpin the way we go about our business.
We collaborate.
Key decisions are made consultatively, and we welcome questions, ideas, and challenges. We value true partnerships based on mutual respect and trust.
We communicate.
Nothing is a surprise. We speak truthfully, openly, and directly, and most importantly, we listen. We act with integrity and maintain a high level of professionalism in all our dealings with partners, communities, network and our team.
We focus on results.
We work together to achieve the best outcome. We energetically pursue excellence through quality and make sure that when we’re done, we measure our impact.
We are constantly growing and learning.
In everything we do, we get better every time. This is because we ask for feedback and take that on board.
Our Partners
We work closely with collaborators that further build on our Board and management team's proven track record in renewable energy research and development. In 2022, we brought on partners in engineering and financial advisory to complement our offer and bring our vision to life.
Wood PLC
Global engineering firm, Wood PLC, is committed to finding solutions to the world’s most critical challenges in energy and the built environment, and is passionate about helping achieve a successful transition to clean energy and renewables.
With their deep experience in the hydrogen industry, we engaged Wood to provide ongoing general advice on our projects and on the broader hydrogen space. When required, under a supplementary agreement, Wood provides detailed engineering consultancy to support specific projects.
