Highlights

  • R&D loan facility entered into with Rockford Capital.
  • Up to $2 million available against the FY2026 R&D claim, expected to be received in the coming days.
  • Option to seek a further $4 million against the projected FY2027 R&D claim.
  • Funding to support analysis of recent well testing and commercialisation studies.

Gold Hydrogen Limited (ASX:GHY) has announced that it has entered into a research and development (R&D) loan facility with Rockford Capital. The facility is structured in two stages, covering FY2026 and, at the company’s election, FY2027. The company has been working with its R&D and taxation advisors on the FY2026 claim, which includes its 2025 drilling campaign.

Terms of the FY2026 Facility

The first stage provides up to $2 million to be loaned against the company’s FY2026 R&D claim, which has been verified by its advisors. The funds are expected to be settled and received in the coming days.

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

Optional FY2027 Funding

At its election, Gold Hydrogen can immediately seek up to a further $4 million in loan funding against its projected FY2027 R&D claim. This claim would cover the 2026 well testing campaign and other eligible R&D-related costs.

The FY2027 loan terms would mirror those of the FY2026 facility and be secured against the projected FY2027 R&D claim. Any amount drawn under this stage must be repaid by 30 April 2028.

Supporting Natural Hydrogen and Helium Exploration

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

The company said access to this funding will allow it to continue compiling and analysing results from its recent well testing campaign and to pursue preliminary studies on potential commercialisation pathways for both natural hydrogen and helium. The announcement was authorised by the Managing Director.

Key Takeaways

The Rockford R&D loan facility gives Gold Hydrogen access to near-term, non-equity funding backed by its R&D claims, with up to $2 million available immediately and a further $4 million at its option. The facility carries meaningful financing costs, including a 16.5% annual interest rate. Results from the analysis of the recent well testing campaign and progress on commercialisation studies are the next developments to follow.