PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands to promote clean energy supply chains between Australia and the Netherlands on green hydrogen.

This partnership will deliver practical collaboration to support the development of a hydrogen supply chain from Australia to Europe, via the Port of Rotterdam.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the MoU demonstrated Australia’s commitment to work with international partners to advance joint clean energy interests and support emerging renewable energy industries.

“Hydrogen is a critical technology for the changing global economy and working with countries like the Netherlands will help Australia realise job and investment opportunities of this new industry, and deliver energy security and emissions reductions for trading partners.

“With considerable renewable energy resources, Australia is in a strong position to export renewable energy, develop clean energy supply chains, and attract foreign investment.

“Australia and the Netherlands have strong trade and investment ties, and we look forward to strengthening those by concluding negotiations on an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement with the European Union,” Bowen said.

The MoU covers hydrogen trade policy, standards and certification schemes, port infrastructure and supply chain development, innovative hydrogen technologies, including shipping, equipment and services, and government policies about safety, social licence and regulations for hydrogen.

The Netherlands has an ambitious National Hydrogen Strategy, with €2-billion to €3-billion set aside for green hydrogen projects. This includes establishing the Port of Rotterdam as a world-leading terminal for energy of the future, with imports of hydrogen from all parts of the world including Australia.

The MoU builds on existing MoUs Rotterdam has with a number of Australian states as well as Rotterdam’s involvement in the Australian-German feasibility study of hydrogen produced from renewable energy (HySupply).

The Australian government’s investment in hydrogen hubs is now more than A$525-million, including the A$454-million Regional Hydrogen Hubs programme for projects in places such as Townsville, Gladstone, the Hunter Valley, the Pilbara, Port Bonython and Bell Bay.

The government is also investing A$89.5-million to help the transport sector make the switch to hydrogen, including through hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia’s busiest freight routes.

By 2050, Australia’s hydrogen industry could generate A$50-billion in additional gross domestic product and create over 16 000 jobs, as well as an additional 13 000 jobs from the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to power the production of green hydrogen.