Key Highlights

  • Gold Hydrogen has entered an R&D loan facility with Rockford Capital covering FY2026 and, at the company's election, FY2027.
  • Up to $2 million is available against the FY2026 R&D claim, which Deloitte has verified, with settlement expected within days.
  • The facility carries a 1.75% establishment fee and 16.5% annual interest, with a 120 day minimum interest period.
  • A further $4 million could be sought against the projected FY2027 R&D claim and must be repaid by 30 April 2028.

Gold Hydrogen Limited (ASX:GHY) said on 23 October 2026 that it has entered an R&D loan facility with Rockford Capital, giving the company access to funding secured against its research and development claims. The Board described a two-staged arrangement covering the 2026 financial year and, at the company's election, the 2027 financial year.

How the Rockford Facility Is Structured

The first stage allows up to $2 million to be loaned against the FY2026 R&D claim. Gold Hydrogen said it has worked with its R&D and taxation advisers, Deloitte, on that claim, which incorporates the 2025 drilling campaign and has been verified by Deloitte. The company expects the loan to be settled and received in the next days.

The loan is secured against the projected FY2026 R&D claim. Its terms include a 1.75% establishment fee and interest at 16.5% per annum, with a 120 day minimum interest period.

The second stage is optional. At its election, the company can move immediately to seek up to a further $4 million against its projected FY2027 R&D claim, which would encompass the 2026 well testing campaign and other eligible R&D-related costs. The terms would mirror those of the FY2026 stage, the loan would be secured against the projected FY2027 claim, and it must be repaid by 30 April 2028.

Background to the R&D Claims

Gold Hydrogen pointed to a history of successful R&D claims based on its exploration and appraisal work in pursuit of natural hydrogen and helium discoveries, and ultimately commercial production, on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. The company said it drilled the first natural hydrogen purposed wells in Australia in 2023 and remains the only company to have specifically drilled and tested wells for natural hydrogen in the country.

Why This Could Matter

The company said access to this funding stream will allow it to continue compiling and analysing the results of its recent well testing campaign. It will also allow preliminary studies associated with the potential commercialisation pathways identified for both natural hydrogen and helium.

The Bottom Line

Gold Hydrogen has put in place a staged R&D loan facility with Rockford Capital. Up to $2 million is secured against the verified FY2026 claim, with funds expected within days, and a further $4 million may be sought at the company's election against the FY2027 claim on mirrored terms.