The Western Australian Government has released a new renewable hydrogen strategy as part of its plan to turn the state into a global renewable energy powerhouse.
The strategy, which covers the next six years, has five priority actions. These are:
- targeting support for strategically important projects in green ammonia, green metals and mineral processing, including critical minerals
- investing in infrastructure and activation of hydrogen hubs and strategic industrial areas
- increasing clarity and efficiency with approvals
- strengthening relationships with domestic and international partners
- empowering Aboriginal people.
Key areas of the strategy include how renewable hydrogen can be used to produce green ammonia, which mining companies such as Fortescue are using to decarbonise mining and shipping fleets, and green iron, which is produced when iron ore undergoes a direct reduced iron process using green hydrogen instead of gas or coal, therefore decarbonising the steelmaking process.
The strategy will also highlight the role renewable hydrogen can play in mineral processing.
The strategy was developed by the WA Government in consultation with key stakeholders and incorporates feedback to increase focus on approvals, infrastructure and land, market incentives, delivering value for regional communities and Aboriginal people, and refreshed goals and targets.
“We’re getting on with our plan to turn WA into a global renewable energy powerhouse, and we know renewable hydrogen will play a role in our green energy future,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.
“The hydrogen landscape has changed significantly over the past five years with advancements in technology and new national and international policy settings. Our refreshed strategy reflects the new landscape, with a major focus on using renewable hydrogen to produce the green materials the world needs to transition to net-zero – like green ammonia and green iron.
“We’re delivering on what industry needs to make renewable hydrogen a reality – slashing red tape and streamlining approvals, and investing to unlock our strategic industrial areas.”
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