- Energy and Decarbonisation Minister to tell major hydrogen industry summit there is no time for half measures and incrementalism
- Less hydrogen hype is not a problem; it is just the next phase
- State intends to be part of a new global industry that will change the world
- Part of Cook Government's Made in WA plan to attract and support clean energy industries
The Cook Government has issued a rallying call to the hydrogen sector - declaring there is no room for half measures as it strives to develop a world-class hydrogen industry in Western Australia.
Addressing the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam today, Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson will say Western Australia cannot become a global hydrogen powerhouse through timidity and is looking for partners willing to engage and invest.
Acknowledging the changing sentiment around hydrogen, Minister Sanderson will say: "Less hydrogen hype isn't a problem; it's just the next phase. Our ambition to develop a world-class hydrogen industry remains stronger than ever."
There is no time for half measures and incrementalism.
Western Australia's involvement in the conference - the largest of its kind - is a signal that the State intends to be part of a new global industry that will change the world.
Minister Sanderson will say her address is not just a pitch for why Western Australia deserves the attention of green capital and offtake markets.
It is a call to action for what WA can achieve - working alongside project proponents, investors and other governments to cast aside incrementalism, harness the State's comparative advantages, and "show the world what is within our grasp".
WA has some of the best wind and solar resources in the world in close proximity to a world-class export industry, industrial hubs, and a resources sector.
The State has financially backed two hydrogen hubs in the Pilbara and Mid West, co-locating demand and supply alongside opportunities for infrastructure investment.
It has conducted groundbreaking work such as the Trilateral Hydrogen Hub Feasibility Study, in partnership with the Netherlands' Port of Rotterdam.
WA's energy sector has long been shaped by its significant natural resources and world-renowned resources industry.
This industry did not happen overnight. State and Commonwealth governments were heavily involved in derisking the significant capital injections required by large commercial joint ventures.
As a result, WA benefits from a world-class industry that is well positioned to assist economies transition away from coal-fired power and make massive investments to get much needed breakthroughs on Carbon Capture and Storage.
That experience demonstrates why WA is so confident it can create a hydrogen industry at scale, capable of exporting value-added products such as green ammonia and green iron.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"As the new Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, my remit from our Premier is clear: transform WA into a clean energy powerhouse.
"We know this requires government to play a strong role - and we have levers available to us that we are willing to use in the right circumstances.
"In the Pilbara we are developing common use transmission infrastructure corridors, partnering with the private sector and seeking to leverage billions of dollars in concessional finance from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
"Our three energy utilities are fully owned by the State and - at my direction - are well positioned to be more than just commercial operators as we consider how they purchase offtake, facilitate transmission infrastructure, and invest in generation.
"We have already commenced major legislative and machinery of government reforms that will allow us to be faster and more effective in driving the transition.
"Our new Made in WA agenda identifies green iron and steel as a priority we are willing to support through forward-thinking industry and procurement policy.
"I hear proponents talk about project-on-project risk in the hydrogen industry, where various projects depend on each other for certainty around inputs and revenue.
"We have the ability to use our full suite of levers to de-risk multiple projects at the same time, giving proponents greater certainty around access to critical infrastructure, reliable and affordable clean energy, and long-term offtake partners.
"We believe we are well placed to do this better than anywhere else in the world."
