WA has joined renewable energy heavy-hitter Germany to discuss hydrogen opportunities in Australia's first roundtable since the recent national declaration of intent on hydrogen.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan hosted the roundtable, which featured representatives from major German and Australian businesses including ThyssenKrupp, Siemens, Daimler AG, Woodside, BHP, Yara Pilbara and Fortescue Metals Group.
Speakers included Andreas Radke, Acting Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr Falk Bömeke from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.
The meeting was the first of its kind for any Australian State since the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed between the Australian and German governments in September to deliver a Hydrogen Supply Chain Feasibility Study.
The roundtable served as an introduction between German and Western Australian companies operating in the renewable hydrogen sector, and an opportunity to explore collaboration and partnerships opportunities.
Strengthening relationships with international renewable hydrogen importers has been a major focus for the McGowan Government, which has allocated $1 million towards developing a detailed supply chain model to review potential bottlenecks and factors affecting the export industry.
Current global demand for hydrogen is at more than 70 million tonnes a year and the value of Australia's low-emissions hydrogen exports could reach $2.2 billion by 2030 and $5.7 billion by 2040.
For information about the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/western-australian-renewable-hydrogen-strategy-and-roadmap
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Western Australia has an extraordinary opportunity to become a leader in the emerging renewable hydrogen industry and the McGowan Government is on the front foot in taking advantage of this opportunity.
"Germany currently imports up to 70 per cent of its energy, and is eyeing renewable hydrogen for its future energy needs.
"We have undertaken significant work with the German Government and industry over the past two years to lay the foundations for the State's now-burgeoning hydrogen industry.
"This is setting WA apart as both a producer of hydrogen and as a key technology partner.
"This inaugural roundtable between Germany and WA is an important next step in driving forward our local hydrogen industry and supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions."
Renewable Hydrogen Roundtable attendees:
Special Guests:
- Mr Andreas Radke, Acting Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Dr Gabriele Maluga, Honorary Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Mr Christoph Spesshardt, Executive Director, German Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Australia)
- Dr Falk Bömeke German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy
German industry attendees:
- Fichtner
- E. ON/Innogy SE
- ThyssenKrupp
- Siemens
- Schaeffler AG
- Linde Group
- Daimler AG
- DB Engineering and Consulting
Western Australian attendees:
- Fortescue Metals Group (FMG)
- Hazer Group
- Asian Renewable Energy Hub
- Woodside
- Yara Pilbara
- Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC)
- BHP
- Hofmann Engineering
