Australia sets its sights on hydrogen to follow oil, gas and commodities success

摘要

AUSTRALIA is already a leading exporter of liquefied natural gas, coal and iron ore, and now interest in the country in the hydrogen sector is bubbling. The government has stated that a national hydrogen industry could generate more than 8000 jobs and over A$ll billion (US$8.5 billion) in gross domestic product by 2050. Australia's Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation estimates the potential demand for imported hydrogen in China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore alone could reach 3.8 million tonnes by 2030. Australia is already aiming to capitalise on this potential opportunity as it looks to export the world's first liquefied hydrogen cargo later this year. Several pilot hydrogen projects are already under way around the country, some involving hydrocarbon heavyweights. BP is involved in Santos' capture and storage project in South Australia, which could potentially lead to a blue hydrogen development, while the UK supermajor is exploring the potential for an export-scale renewable hydrogen production facility in Western Australia.