Qld lands major partnership with Japanese hydrogen behemoth

Queensland’s strategy to become a global super supplier of renewable hydrogen has taken a great leap forward, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announcing a landmark partnership with Japan’s largest hydrogen company. The partnership between the government-owned generator Stanwell and Japanese energy company Iwatani Corporation would see planning progressed on a new renewable hydrogen export facility in Gladstone. “Demand for renewable hydrogen out of Japan is growing rapidly,” the Premier said. “It was just over two years ago when I met with key businesses and academics in Japan to talk about the potential to export Queensland’s sunshine in the form of renewable hydrogen energy. “Following those meetings Queensland moved ahead of the Federal Government to release a Hydrogen Industry Strategy in May last year. “If we can position Queensland as a key exporter of this resource, Queensland will be at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. “To do that, we must partner with Japanese energy suppliers – and when it comes to hydrogen, they don’t come any larger than Iwatani. “Hydrogen is the future. We’re investing in this sector because we know the great potential this industry has to drive Queensland’s economic recovery in years to come. “For the first time in history, I have appointed a Minister for Renewables and Hydrogen. This is testament to the importance of this industry in rebuilding our economy.” Japan has committed to reducing its net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050. It plans to achieve this by becoming a ‘hydrogen society’. Newly-appointed Minister for Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the partnership with Iwatani was evidence of Queensland’s commitment to rapidly developing its potential as a green hydrogen exporter. “The Premier has given me a mandate to do everything we can to grow this industry, and put Queensland workers front and centre in this,” the Minister said. “We’ll continue to partner with the world’s leading energy companies, including our own, to develop this exciting new industry in Queensland.”