The Government of Western Australia has unveiled plans to establish a council to drive opportunities for a renewable hydrogen industry in the state.
The Renewable Hydrogen Council has been commissioned to drive the research into hydrogen opportunities for the state and will comprise of experts that will provide guidance on possible ways to progress the industry. The Council has been tasked to report back to Government by early next year with their findings.
Western Australia has enormous potential for the development of a renewable hydrogen industry with its vast available land and renewable energy resources. Hydrogen is considered a clean-burning fuel, and when made using renewable energy it is a carbon-free fuel from production to utilisation. It can be used in a range of industries such as transport and electricity generation – but can also be stored and exported.
With key international markets such as Japan and Korea choosing a substantial role for hydrogen in their future energy mix, the opportunities for Western Australia to export its renewable energy via hydrogen is ‘potentially significant’.
Premier Mark McGowan said the State Government is constantly pushing for innovation, diversification and bold new ways to develop clean energies, grow exports and drive new job opportunities across regional Western Australia.
“As the world continues to transition to a low-emissions future, it is increasingly apparent that hydrogen can play an important role – and WA can be central to that future,” Mr McGowan explained.
Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, said that to create renewable hydrogen, vast stretches of land and high-quality renewable energy resources are needed – two things Western Australia has in abundance.
“This State has a long history of delivering energy and resources to the world, with established infrastructure and supply chains. Now is the time to embrace this opportunity and drive forward the hydrogen industry and its place in WA – to realise the thousands of jobs this industry could create,” she said.
