Hunter Valley set to shun coal for renewable energy Newcastle and the Hunter Valley have always been known for the coal produced in the region. That is all set to change with ground-breaking plans to turn the Upper Hunter Valley into “Hydrogen Valley” in a scheme that would see the region become 100 per cent fuelled by renewable energy. A consortium of local and global energy companies has been put together to make the ambitious project a reality, led by renewables advisory business Energy Estate. The $2 billion proposals would see wind and solar farms used to power hydrogen electrolysers which would, in turn, create feedstock for mining, transport and the local industrial sector. Put short, it could replace the local coal mining industry with a clean, green alternative.