PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Europe’s largest sea port, the Port of Rotterdam, to collaborate on renewable hydrogen.

The two parties will work together to investigate the renewable hydrogen export supply chain between Western Australia and the Port of Rotterdam, including production, storage, transport and the use of renewable hydrogen.

The state government and the Port of Rotterdam will also collaborate on opportunities for knowledge sharing relating to policy, regulation and technology developments.

"The government is committed to making sure Western Australia reaches its potential and becomes a global supplier of renewable hydrogen,” said Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

"We have already committed A$160-million to support the development of a renewable hydrogen industry in Western Australia, including the A$117.5-million announced last week to attract federal funding for renewable hydrogen hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West.

"Through this MoU we will gain a better understanding of the hydrogen export supply chain between Western Australia and the Port of Rotterdam, and what we need to do to make sure the state is an exporter of choice for Europe."

Port of Rotterdam CEO Allard Castelei noted that 13% of the total energy demand of the European Union enters the EU via the Port of Rotterdam, and that this energy will gradually shift from fossil to green energy. 

“We estimate that by 2050, 20-million tonnes of hydrogen will be handled in Rotterdam annually, of which 90% will be through imports. The Port of Rotterdam is pro-actively trying to facilitate this shift by stimulating the development of new international supply chains of hydrogen. 

“Although the distance between Australia and Europe may seem far, the excellent local conditions such as the amount of sunshine, wind, availability of space and investment climate in Western Australia can lead to a competitive hydrogen product delivered to the Northwest European market. 

“This new energy from 'down under', distributed via Rotterdam's terminals and hydrogen backbone, could further help decarbonise Europe's industries and society as a whole. This is important to both stop climate change as well as for the long-term sustainability of businesses and the economy,” said Castelei.