PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government is partnering with publicly-owned power generator CS Energy and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to increase local participation in the hydrogen industry.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni on Tuesday announced the six-month project to map and uncover the capability and potential of local businesses to support a hydrogen supply chain, creating a new online supplier portal.

“This online tool will provide valuable information on local capability and identify opportunities for local businesses in the supply chain allowing them to upskill, as well as attract new organisations to the region,” De Brenni said.

“Hydrogen presents an incredible opportunity in Queensland to create jobs and decarbonise our economy. Support for renewables like hydrogen is a key part of the government’s plan for economic recovery from the global coronavirus pandemic.

“One of our state’s biggest assets is a highly skilled, motivated, and employment-ready workforce.

“We are home to internationally recognised universities and skills training institutes, and our lifestyle is instrumental in retaining highly skilled workers. This competitive advantage helped Queensland to develop the local capability and supply chains that underpin our global liquefied natural gas export industry, and we can do it again with hydrogen.

“Developing that workforce starts with investing in skills and training, and as one of the first states to release a hydrogen strategy in 2019, Queensland is already ahead of the game.”

De Brenni said that the government was taking action to develop the skills and supply chain to establish a thriving hydrogen production and export industry in Queensland, a key part of its Covid-19 recovery plan.

“Developing local capability is how we will position Queensland in a multibillion-dollar industry, and the government is focused on developing it in regional areas around ports and industrial clusters.”

The six-month project will complement CS Energy’s joint feasibility study with IHI Corporation Japan on the establishment of a renewable hydrogen demonstration plant next to Kogan Creek power station near Chinchilla.

The project also followed the state government’s A$2-billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund announced in the state Budget.

“Our Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024 is focussed on developing Queensland’s hydrogen industry to create jobs, including investing in four training centres that would skill up a hydrogen workforce - A$20-miillion towards Stage 2 of the Queensland Apprenticeships Centre at Beenleigh, A$10.6-million for a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training facility at Bohle TAFE campus in Townsville, A$17-million towards the Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility and A$2-million to upgrade training facilities at Gladstone state high school,” he said.