North Queensland set to unlock hydrogen export potential

More than 150 local, national and international business and industry leaders attended Queensland’s first regionally based Hydrogen Industry Forum in Townsville today.

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the private sector had identified Townsville as an optimal location to develop hydrogen projects with long-term potential for the export of renewable hydrogen.

“Today’s forum has shown there is major interset and potential for jobs in Townsville in the new hydrogen industry,” he said.

“That’s why I’ve decided to establish a Townsville Hydrogen Industry Working Group, which will report to the Townsville Industrial Development Board, and will focus on attracting industrial development to Townsville’s Southern Industrial Corridor.”

Mr Dick said the global transition to a low-carbon future presents tremendous investment opportunities in solar and wind farms, and biomass.

“Today has once agains shown we also have an industry opportunity emerging in producing and exporting renewable hydrogen,” he said.

“The Queensland Hydrogen Forum in Townsville is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to transition to a clean energy future and build stronger regional economies.

“We want to lead the race to provide a new source of clean energy to the world and our regions are the key to our success.

Speakers at today’s forum were the Queensland Government’s strategic hydrogen advisor Professor Ian Mackinnon, and senior representatives from Origin Energy and Sun Metals Corporation.

Both major companies are pursuing opportunities for renewable hydrogen, building on the significant investments they have made over recent years to decarbonise their businesses.

“We’re very pleased that companies of the calibre of Origin and Sun Metals are actively pursuing renewable hydrogen projects and we are looking forward to working with them to bring these projects to life,” Mr Dick said.

“A sustainable hydrogen industry has all the qualities to provide a new source of economic growth, open export markets and generate highly skilled jobs for Queenslanders.”

The Townsville Hydrogen Forum follows the release of the government’s five-year Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy and Hydrogen Industry Development Fund, a $15 million contestable funding program to support eligible hydrogen projects establish in Queensland

Expressions of Interest to the fund have been shortlisted and these applicants are currently preparing detailed applications for assessment. The successful projects will be announced in the near future.

“When it comes to growing this new sector, we are moving fast,” Mr Dick said.

“We will continue to build on this momentum as we work in partnership with researchers and industry, and we will continue to work closely with our trade and investment partners.”

For more on hydrogen industry development go to: www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/hydrogen