HPC delivers business case identifying viable development for Port of Newcastle

# What happened HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) has delivered the final business case for the Port of Newcastle's proposed Clean Energy Precinct (CEP). The precinct is planned to cover 220 hectares and would support production, storage, handling and export of clean energy products, including hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels.

# What the business case covers The business case evaluated alternative ownership, governance and commercial structures to guide future investment and development decisions. It combines three core elements:

• Market analysis assessing potential demand scenarios for clean energy products.
• Commercial design that models revenue potential and customer structures.
• Detailed financial modelling of investment requirements, revenue outcomes and project risks.

The analysis also sets out strategic conditions the port will need to meet to unlock long-term value. These include the pace of market development, securing customer commitments, and delivering infrastructure in phases aligned with demand.

# Strategic choices and pathways HPC identified two distinct development pathways that both can create sustainable long-term value. The point is that the port has flexibility: it can choose how actively to participate in the emerging clean energy economy rather than being locked into a single model. The business case therefore provides a framework for selecting between different governance and commercial approaches depending on the port's appetite for investment and risk.

# What port leaders said Ildo Agnetti, Senior Manager of the CEP Project at Port of Newcastle, described completing the business case as an important milestone that improves the port's understanding of commercial opportunities and considerations and establishes a foundation for the next planning and stakeholder engagement steps.

Christina Prieser, Associate Partner at HPC, emphasised the scale of the Newcastle opportunity and the range of strategic choices available to the port. She noted that different development models can generate value and provide flexibility in shaping the port's role as the market evolves.

# Why this matters now

# Next steps indicated by the study The business case establishes a foundation for further planning and stakeholder engagement. Key next steps implied by the study's findings include engaging potential customers to secure commitments, confirming the preferred ownership and commercial model, and aligning infrastructure delivery with market development through phased construction and investment.

# Context on HPC in Australia The assignment strengthens HPC's presence in Australia. The consulting firm already works with Australian ports, terminals and infrastructure operators across strategy, investment planning, operational improvement and digital transformation.

# Bottom line