Key Findings
The Clean Energy Regulator announced on 12 October that the Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) scheme now covers a broader range of industrial products. Beyond electrolysis-based hydrogen, eligibility has been extended to aluminium smelting, iron ore extraction, biogas produced via anaerobic digestion, and biomethane produced by upgrading biogas. Additionally, hydrogen produced through solid gasification, pyrolysis, and gas reforming is now eligible for certification.
Technical Details
The PGO scheme enables eligible producers to create certificates that document the origin, production process, and emissions intensity of product batches. The system is designed to track information as products move through the supply chain; registered businesses involved in transport, storage, or consumption can contribute data to these certificates with the authorization of the production-profile holder.
- Requirements: Participants must provide auditable data on energy use, production volumes, and emissions.
- Registration: Businesses must enroll as registered persons before applying for production, delivery, or consumption profiles.
- Costs: The initial registration fee is $490. Additional participation fees are waived until July 2027.
Background & Context
The PGO is part of the “Future Made in Australia” framework. In the Hunter region, the inclusion of aluminium is significant due to the presence of Tomago Aluminium, which operates Australia’s largest aluminium smelter. Tomago recently announced a 10-year electricity supply agreement (2028–2038) and a $1.1 billion investment in operations, including $100 million for demand-response capability and decarbonisation. However, the regulator notes that eligibility does not automatically mean a product is certified as low emissions, nor has Tomago Aluminium announced an application to participate.
Significance & Outlook
The Australian Government intends to further expand the PGO to include low-carbon liquid fuels, ammonia, and other green metals such as steel and alumina. These future additions aim to extend the scheme’s relevance to a wider array of industrial supply chains and alternative fuel developers.
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