A specialist hydrogen team has been assembled by the Queensland State Government to grow the state’s renewables economy.
The team will be headed by Professor Peta Ashworth OAM to help fast track the establishment of a sustainable supply chain and what the Government hopes will lead to thousands of jobs.
It is anticipated that the Hydrogen Taskforce will work with industry across the supply chain to help accelerate the growth of the hydrogen sector in Queensland where commercial road transport remains a key industry with the potential over the coming decade to be well served by it.
In parliament, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Queensland would lead Australia in its effort to become a world leader in renewable hydrogen.
“The Hydrogen Taskforce brings together industry, academic and public sector leaders with expertise in science, energy, international investment attraction and economic development, infrastructure planning, regulations, skills development and logistics, and Queensland is lucky to have Professor Peta Ashworth at the helm,” he said.
“Professor Ashworth is currently the University of Queensland’s Chair in Sustainable Energy Futures, a globally renowned leader in climate and energy technologies and sustainable energy, and already has runs on the board when it comes to hydrogen – including playing a role in the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy,” said de Brenni.
“Professor Ashworth also has a strong ethos in the social and environmental impacts in the adoption of energy technology and what this means for the communities that use it.”
Professor Ashworth said the Taskforce would hit the ground running and one of its first tasks will be to assess the current state of play of Queensland’s hydrogen supply chain.
“Based on this, we will then prepare a plan that provides a clear line of sight to a sustainable hydrogen supply chain, including export, to be up and running by 2030 or earlier if possible,” Professor Ashworth said.
“We will also identify short and medium-term actions within the regulatory and planning landscape to facilitate the safe and sustainable development of Queensland’s next major energy commodity.”
Renata Berglas, CEO, Queensland Transport Logistics Council will be one of seven members on the Hydrogen Taskforce including the Chair.
“This includes $32.6 million invested to support training and skills development and $25 million for the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund,” said de Brenni.
“The Taskforce will leverage our traditional strengths in the resources sector, coupled with developing plans to utilise our existing public infrastructure such as pipeline corridors, power generators and ports so we can take renewable hydrogen to the world.”