The Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade Alannah MacTiernan today joined a summit of almost 200 delegates to explore the opportunities renewable hydrogen presents for the mining sector.
The Hydrogen and Mines Summit brought together representatives from a number of global companies, including FMG, BHP, Baker Hughes GE, ENGIE, Rio Tinto, South 32, ATCO, Woodside, Caltex and Yara.
Hydrogen has massive applications in the mining sector including fuel substitution, renewables integration and power supply, and the commercialisation of renewable hydrogen technologies.
In light of significant climate change challenges, the renewable hydrogen agenda presents Western Australia with a real opportunity to accelerate emissions reduction and diversify our economy.
The McGowan Government is actively exploring the potential for a renewable hydrogen industry in WA and what needs to be done to position us to be able to respond to and meet the growing global demand.
In September 2018, the Premier established the WA Renewable Hydrogen Council which has since identified four strategic focus areas to achieve a long-term vision of a renewable hydrogen market in WA for export and domestic purposes.
As stated by Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade Alannah MacTiernan:
"Western Australia has an opportunity to lead the hydrogen transformation race.
"Renewable hydrogen can cut mining's reliance on costly diesel imports, whilst developing a new, sustainable industry.
"The generation of power through locally produced hydrogen will open up great opportunities in regional Western Australia.
"Some of our key trading partners, including Japan, Singapore and South Korea, are signalling their intentions to import low emission hydrogen to help transition away from fossil fuels and increase energy security.
"Western Australia is well positioned to take advantage of this potential multibillion dollar industry, and the race is on with other countries positioning themselves to become major exporters of renewable hydrogen."
