Newcastle will host the H2 Grand Prix (H2GP) PRO NSW Central Final for the first time on 4 December 2026, bringing students together to race remote-controlled cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Port of Newcastle is funding five Hunter high schools to participate in the international hydrogen technology education program for a second year. They are Warners Bay High School, Rutherford Technology High School, Irrawang High School, Merewether High School and Callaghan College Waratah Campus.
Created by Horizon Educational, H2GP is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education program in which students design, build, test and race 1:10 scale hydrogen fuel-cell-powered cars.
The program gives students practical experience in engineering, data analysis, energy management, problem-solving and teamwork. Established in 2015, H2GP now operates across 27 countries and five continents.
More Hunter schools join the competition
The H2GP registration website currently lists five teams for the NSW Central Final at NEX Newcastle.
They are Team Westy from West Wallsend High School, Helios Racing from St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle Campus, Waratah Wildfire from Callaghan College Waratah Campus, Pink Nova Racing from Rutherford Technology High School and Project Hydro machine from Hunter School of the Performing Arts.
The registered teams include two of the Port-funded schools, alongside three other Hunter schools. With registrations open until 20 November, the final field of competitors has yet to be determined.
The Newcastle event will give participating students the opportunity to put their vehicle designs and racing skills to the test, with successful teams in contention for a place at the 2027 H2GP World Final in Prague, Czech Republic.
Hunter schools return after international success
Port of Newcastle introduced the H2GP program to the Hunter in 2025, giving local schools their first opportunity to compete.
Warners Bay High School won the NSW qualifier in its first year, while Rutherford Technology High School secured a wildcard entry after receiving the Innovation and Girls in STEM awards.
Both teams went on to compete at the 2025 World Final in Chemnitz, Germany. Irrawang High School and Callaghan College Waratah Campus finished second and third respectively at the NSW qualifier.
Port of Newcastle Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs Lucas Coleman said the Port was proud to support the schools for another year.
“Last year, our Hunter schools took this competition by storm. To have two teams reach the World Final in their first year was an outstanding achievement, and every school represented our region with enormous pride, skill and determination,” Mr Coleman said.
Students have spent this year learning about different energy sources and hydrogen fuel-cell technology while developing their cars and refining their designs.
On 29 October, Hunter teams attended a regional practice session at Club Macquarie in Argenton, where they tested their vehicles in a shared racing environment ahead of the December final.
Connecting hydrogen education with the Hunter’s energy future
Port of Newcastle’s involvement in the competition comes as it progresses plans for its Clean Energy Precinct on Kooragang Island.
The proposed precinct is intended to support the production, storage, distribution and export of clean energy products, including hydrogen and ammonia. It forms part of the Port’s plans to diversify its operations and develop infrastructure for emerging energy industries in the Hunter.
Mr Coleman said the H2GP program gave students an opportunity to consider careers connected to the region’s changing industries.
“The Port of the future needs a workforce of the future. As we diversify our trade and support changing energy needs, programs like H2GP help students see where a career in engineering, energy and technology could take them,” Mr Coleman said.
The NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships program also works to connect schools with industry.
The department’s Executive Director, Skills and Workforce Programs, Suzie Matthews, welcomed the Port’s involvement in providing students with opportunities to develop practical STEM skills, tackle real-world challenges and explore future career pathways.
The H2GP PRO NSW Central Final will be held at NEX Newcastle on Friday 4 December 2026. Registrations are scheduled to close on 20 November.
