Queensland’s hydrogen plan was presented to more than 80 prominent Japanese companies and research institutes at an industry seminar hosted by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).
This included senior executives of JOGMEC, Japan’s largest petroleum conglomerate JXTG, as well as cutting-edge researchers from Tokyo University.
Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said Queensland is committed to becoming a hydrogen exporter of choice for the world, particularly renewable hydrogen.
“Queensland is entering a new era of innovation-led partnerships with Japan to grow and develop a successful hydrogen industry.
“Our plan is to maximise our renewable resources and further diversify our economy to create more jobs for Queenslanders.
“Australia and Japan have a long and enduring trade relationship, and through our hydrogen industry we’re looking to build on this further.
“This commitment is reinforced by the Palaszczuk Government’s $19 million Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024.”
The recent re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (MOU) between Queensland and JOGMEC included hydrogen.
“Together JOGMEC and the Queensland Government will continue to collaborate and identify new opportunities for the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry,” Mr Dick said.
“The re-signing of the MOU by the Premier is a significant step on this hydrogen journey with our overseas partners.”
JOGMEC President, Tomonoubu Uchida, said it was a great honour to be collaborating with Queensland.
“Hydrogen is a new industry for JOGMEC.
“Traditionally we have supported coal, oil, gas, and strategic metals projects, so we’re very excited to be working with the state of Queensland to jointly support renewable hydrogen opportunities.”
While in Japan, Mr Dick also signed a Statement of Intent with the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.
“The Queensland Government acknowledges and respects that the University of Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious universities, is at the forefront of hydrogen research,” Mr Dick said.
“Signing this Statement of Intent will further solidify our commitment to developing a hydrogen industry in Queensland, with a view to providing a reliable and sustainable supply of renewable hydrogen to Japan.”
