Qld hydrogen revolution rolls on as Twiggy Forrest teams up with Incitec Pivot

Queensland’s clean energy revolution continues apace with Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest again on hand to announce another green jobs boost.

Dr Andrew Forrest on Sunday announcing the biggest hydrogen electrolyser plant to be built in Gladstone. Photo William Debois

Queensland has made its second major clean energy announcement in two days, with iron-ore-magnate-turned-green-energy-philanthropist Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest again stepping in to help build for a greener future.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday again stood with Dr Forrest to announce a partnership between his Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and ASX-listed fertiliser firm Incitec Pivot to prove it is technically and economically feasible to accelerate decarbonisation while protecting jobs.

The two companies will team up to assess whether it is possible to convert Incitec’s ammonia production facility on Gibson Island near Brisbane into a hydrogen-powered operation.

The announcement was sold as another step towards securing a clean energy future and safeguarding Queensland jobs Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

FFI also plans to construct an on-site electrolysis plant to produce 50,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year for conversion into green ammonia.

Monday’s announcement was sold as another step towards securing a clean energy future and safeguarding Queensland jobs and comes a day after Dr Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries announced the world’s biggest hydrogen electrolyser plant would be built in Gladstone.

Ms Palaszczuk stressed that hydrogen was crucial to the state’s long-term future and added that she remains committed to seeing 50 per cent reduction in Queensland emissions by 2030.

“By backing Queensland to become a renewable energy and hydrogen superpower we will make Queensland a manufacturing superpower as well which will create and sustain jobs long into the future,” she said.

“We are seeing an industrial green revolution taking place in Queensland, and it will happen in Australia and throughout the world.”

Both Dr Forrest and Ms Palaszczuk used Monday’s press conference to urge Prime Minister Scott Morrison to head to Glasgow, Scotland, next week for the Cop26 climate change conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Around 22 per cent of electricity used in Queensland is produced from renewable sources, including rooftop solar. That’s up from 7 per cent in 2012.

Both Ms Palaszczuk and Dr Forrest used Monday’s press conference to urge Prime Minister Scott Morrison to head to Glasgow, Scotland, next week for the Cop26 climate change conference, where he is likely to face international criticism for Australia’s lagging commitment to emission reductions.

Dr Forrest also lashed critics who would stand in the way of a renewable energy push but added that there was still room for both fossil fuel and green sources.

“I’m just asking everyone in the Queensland coal sector to have a choice,” Dr Forrest said.

“Stay in the coal industry if you like, but it‘s going to decline over time.

“Over the next 20 to 30 years, it will decline down to very little to nothing.”