The Queensland Government announced that the Han-Ho Hydrogen Consortium would move its export-scale green hydrogen hub project in North Queensland from concept to feasibility study.
According to the State Government, the signing of a landmark Heads of Agreement (HoA) in Korea during Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk‘s trade mission may result in one of Queensland’s first large projects exporting green ammonia to Korea, establishing a green energy corridor between Australia and Korea.
“While our traditional trade and investment sector with Korea remain strong, we’re also forging ahead in our decarbonisation initiatives. We look forward to working closely with the consortium partners to unlock Queensland’s renewable energy potential and become a large-scale producer and exporter of green hydrogen,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
The consortium includes Australian-based Ark Energy and its parent company, Korea Zinc, and Korean corporations Hanwha Impact and SK Gas.
The proposed project would create up to 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia annually and help Ark Energy’s Collinsville Green Energy Hub expand up to 4.5GW.
“The Collinsville Green Energy Hub provides more good job opportunities in the Bowen Basin as we create more industries in Queensland,” Premier Palaszczuk stated.
“Working in collaboration with the Han-Ho H2 Consortium, we will transform the state into a renewable energy powerhouse, delivering clean, reliable and affordable power for generations and providing good, secure jobs for the future,” the Premier added.
Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim said the Han-Ho H2 Consortium’s joint goal is to accelerate the energy transition by constructing new green growth engines for both Australia and Korea.
“We are committed to working closely with our key stakeholders to unlock and maximise this potential and deliver prosperity to the regional communities in which we operate,” Kim stated.
During the feasibility stage, the State Government will invest $8.5 million in the Abbot Point Activation Initiative as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan hydrogen hubs program.
According to the State Government, the funding will accelerate the master planning, development, and infrastructure arrangements required for Abbot Point to become a hydrogen export superhub, including planning for the water and power sources required to create hydrogen on a large scale in North Queensland.
Abbot Point presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity on government-owned property, with existing deep water, port infrastructure, and proximity to one of Australia’s greatest renewable energy zones, making it an ideal location for renewable hydrogen and ammonia production in North Queensland.
The Government added that Townsville is set to become a critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing powerhouse, with Korea Zinc’s Sun Metals green industrial precinct and Ark Energy’s SunHQ Hydrogen Hub supporting the growth of critical minerals supply chains and the domestic hydrogen sector.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Korea Zinc group will support Townsville to become a world leader in critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing including through the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart commented, “Townsville and North Queensland are perfectly placed to be at the forefront of hydrogen, renewable energy and critical mineral developments.”
Minister Stewart stated that the agreement builds on Townsville and the region’s existing relationship with Sun Metals and will result in more jobs in the future.
“We have the critical minerals in the ground, the expertise above and the right infrastructure to support the development of both the resources and renewable industries,” Minister Stewart added.
