Qld hydrogen goes global, with reports it will be a hot commodity in Germany

A new landmark report has revealed just how many workers will be needed to support a massive new Queensland industry.

Queensland-made hydrogen shipped out of the Port of Gladstone is set to be a hot commodity in Germany, according to a new landmark study.

Australia will also be “competitive” as a hydrogen exporter despite being further away from Germany compared to hydrogen-potential countries like Qatar or Chile.

The study, a joint Australian-German effort set to be published on Friday, comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Energy Minister Angus Taylor jet off to attend the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow where the government will present its plan to get to net zero emissions by 2050 to global leaders.

The first report out of the HySupply project showed Australia had “great potential” to supply hydrogen to support Germany’s hydrogen ambitions, according to Mr Taylor.

File: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at Northern Oil Refinery as she announced announce the Queensland Government's new hydrogen plan.

The research, done with nearly $600,000 in government funding, found shipping hydrogen in the form of ammonia and other energy-based carriers may be “early options for viable export”.

The report analyses the costs of producing hydrogen and hydrogen-based energy carriers (such as ammonia) using renewable energy, and shipping options for export to Germany.

It flagged the production of hydrogen in the coalmining district around Moranbah, where the Bowen Basin is located, and also in the Darling Downs.

The federal government has spruiked hydrogen as the industry that will bolster new jobs in the regions, particularly those with economies reliant on resources.

According to the Coalition, hydrogen efforts could “directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050 in Australia, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure” and that “Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could generate more than $50 billion in 2050.”

The release of the report comes after mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest earlier this month announced his company, Fortescue Future Industries, would be building the world’s largest green energy hydrogen manufacturing facility in Central Queensland.

Originally published as Qld hydrogen goes global, with reports it will be a hot commodity in Germany