Japanese investment backs Queensland as global hydrogen powerhouse

Queensland is powering ahead as a global magnet for clean energy investment, with Japan’s largest oil company starting green hydrogen production in Brisbane.

The milestone comes as Japanese energy giant ENEOS officially opened the demonstration plant at its Bulwer Island site on Monday.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said it was an exciting step towards Queensland becoming a world leader in renewable energy.

“ENEOS choosing Queensland for this project strengthens our position as a leading destination for investment in green hydrogen,” Mr Miles said.

“Working with international partners will play a critical role in Queensland’s journey as we develop a world-class, sustainable and competitive hydrogen industry.

“Work by companies such as ENEOS is vital as we power towards achieving zero net emissions by 2050 – and delivering the economic opportunities that go with it.

“The Bulwer Island facility will have capacity to produce up to 20 kilograms of green hydrogen a day, creating 30 new specialist jobs in the process.

“This project is set to unlock significant benefits for Queensland’s economy by generating hydrogen jobs of the future and tapping into new export markets.

“This project will build on our progress towards Queensland becoming an energy superpower, which we are steering through the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.” 

ENEOS will produce the green hydrogen using its patented electrolysis technology (Direct MCH^®), powered from renewable energy generated by an onsite 250-kilowatt solar system.

The hydrogen will be produced in the form of methylcyclohexane (MCH), so it can be stored and transported as a liquid before being refined back to hydrogen in Japan.

It is the first project supported by the Japanese Government’s $24 billion Green Innovation Fund, which aims to help Japan achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The company is investigating other sites in Queensland for future stages of its development.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said Queensland was poised to lead the world in hydrogen investment.

“This investment by ENEOS highlights the wealth of opportunities that Queensland offers a in the renewables industry open to the world,” the Treasurer said.

“Japanese companies have a long history of investment in Queensland, and they continue choosing to invest in Queensland because of our rich renewable resources, well-established infrastructure and proactive policy.

“We look forward to maximising the potential of hydrogen by continuing to work with ENEOS and other international companies seeking to base their operations here.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s green hydrogen industry was the greatest job creation, emissions reduction, and economic development opportunity in a generation.

“Queensland has all the ingredients needed to become a global hydrogen superpower, and we’re accelerating our role in helping the world achieve its decarbonisation ambitions,” Minister de Brenni said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is sending a very clear message to the world that we will be a global player for reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

“This project by ENEOS is further proof of the opportunity that green hydrogen presents for sectors such as road transport, aviation, ammonia for fertiliser and explosives as well as to create industrial heat and power generation for mining and steel production.”

ENEOS is also building a 204-megawatt solar farm at Edenvale in the Western Downs, supporting 400 jobs in regional Queensland during construction.

ENEOS Executive Vice President Tomohide Miyata said the company was pleased to progress the green hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Queensland. He also said this technology will be a game changer in developing a hydrogen supply chain.

ENEOS Senior Vice President Yuichiro Fujiyama said the demonstration of this technology is a great step and ENEOS will further expand the scale of this project in near future.

ENDS

Media contact:          

Deputy Premier’s office: Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484

Treasurer’s office: Geoff Breusch - 0417 272 875