WA and Port of Rotterdam to collaborate on renewable hydrogen

  • McGowan Government and the Port of Rotterdam sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on renewable hydrogen
  • MoU reflects complementary renewable hydrogen goals of the WA Government and the Port of Rotterdam
  • Establishes the basis of a long-term co-operative relationship and explores new areas of collaboration 
  • Western Australia is continuing to solidify its leading role on the global renewable hydrogen stage, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed last night with Europe’s largest sea port, the Port of Rotterdam.

    Underpinned by the Dutch Government’s national hydrogen strategy, the Port of Rotterdam is setting itself up as a major hydrogen import hub for Europe.

    The MoU builds on work underway by the McGowan Government in WA and by the Port of Rotterdam, and covers a number of areas for co-operation.

    The two parties will work together to investigate the renewable hydrogen export supply chain between WA and the Port of Rotterdam, including production, storage, transport and the use of renewable hydrogen.

    The State Government and the Port of Rotterdam will also collaborate on opportunities for knowledge sharing relating to policy, regulation and technology developments.

    As stated by Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

    “The McGowan Government is committed to making sure Western Australia reaches its potential and becomes a global supplier of renewable hydrogen.

    “We have already committed $160 million to support the development of a renewable hydrogen industry in Western Australia, including the $117.5 million announced last week to attract Federal funding for renewable hydrogen hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West.

    “Through this MoU we will gain a better understanding of the hydrogen export supply chain between Western Australia and the Port of Rotterdam, and what we need to do to make sure the State is an exporter of choice for Europe.”

    As stated by Port of Rotterdam CEO Allard Castelein:

    “At this moment 13 per cent of the total energy demand of the European Union enters the EU via the Port of Rotterdam. This energy will gradually shift from fossil to green energy.

    “We estimate that by 2050, 20 million tons of hydrogen will be handled in Rotterdam annually, of which 90 per cent will be through imports. The Port of Rotterdam is pro-actively trying to facilitate this shift by stimulating the development of new international supply chains of hydrogen.

    “Although the distance between Australia and Europe may seem far, the excellent local conditions such as the amount of sunshine, wind, availability of space and investment climate in Western Australia can lead to a competitive hydrogen product delivered to the Northwest European market.

    “This new energy from ‘down under’, distributed via Rotterdam’s terminals and hydrogen backbone, could further help decarbonise Europe’s industries and society as a whole. This is important to both stop climate change as well as for the long-term sustainability of businesses and the economy.”

    As stated by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia Marion Derckx:

    “Congratulations to Western Australia and the Port of Rotterdam on their collaboration to further progress green hydrogen industries in Australia and the Netherlands.

    “International collaboration is the key to accelerating the transition to a carbon neutral energy future. The joint work to be undertaken by Western Australia and the Port of Rotterdam to develop the supply chain for green hydrogen will benefit both countries greatly.

    “For Western Australia, it reaffirms their status as a major global energy provider, and it reconfirms and strengthens the function of Rotterdam and the Netherlands as gateway to Europe. This cooperation will deepen and expand the extensive business ties between Dutch and Western Australian companies.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.