Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan will visit South Korea for three days to attend the 2022 Global H2 Conference to promote Western Australia’s (WA) renewable hydrogen industry and build new partnerships with international industry leaders wanting to invest in the State.
In a statement, Minister MacTiernan said the WA Government’s involvement in the 2022 Global Hydrogen Summit intends to enhance discussion on green steel proposals and expedite WA’s position in the renewable hydrogen value chain.
“WA and South Korea are a perfect match when it comes to the development of the global renewable hydrogen industry,” Minister MacTiernan stated.
She added that senior Korean steelmakers are seriously invested in producing green iron in WA, expressing the State’s desire to advance discussions on the matter.
“South Korea is seeking hydrogen supply and the decarbonisation of systems, and WA is well-positioned to be an optimal large-scale producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen — together making a complete, stable, and secure value chain,” she said.
The Minister will also visit the Shinincheon Bitdream Fuel Cell Power Plant, the world’s biggest hydrogen fuel cell power plant.
According to the Minister, the mission will offer chances to attract investment in renewable energy, hydrogen production and downstream processing, including green iron, iron ore and steel, to learn more about the research and development, particularly stimulating domestic demand, fuel cells and steel production.
The WA Government has placed a high priority on improving ties with foreign renewable hydrogen importers and is working on a full value chain model to examine potential obstacles and elements affecting the State’s export industry.
“Throughout my visit to South Korea, I will be meeting with industry leaders to discuss how WA can help our international partners meet their future energy and emission reduction goals,” Minister MacTiernan said.
The current projected global demand for hydrogen is over 90 million tonnes per year, and Australia’s low-emissions hydrogen exports could be worth $2.2 billion by 2030 and $5.7 billion by 2040.
