In the pipeline: QLD green hydrogen set to be superpowered

The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest are two of the most stunning and significant natural wonders of the world. The beauty of these ecosystems; the Great Barrier Reef and its clear turquoise waters; The Wet Tropics abundant with lush greenery and diverse wildlife, is unparalleled.

Their beauty and importance to Queensland’s tourism economy and to global preservation of critical habitat and biodiversity are undeniable.

Over the weekend, I visited both and was inspired by their magnificence and reminded of the profound value of our planet’s biodiversity but also, of its fragility.

I met local businesses that count on the health of these wonders, and conservationists working hard to ensure their protection.

I heard directly from Perry and Taryn and their crew aboard Ocean Freedom of the efforts they’re taking including managing destructive species like the Drupella snail and Crown-of-Thorns starfish, and new opportunities to convert to a low emissions fleet to reduce their direct impact on the reef and global warming.

Before I went down with a dive master to see the reef for myself, they explained how important it was for everyone to acknowledge two things:

1. The reef remains vibrant and beautiful and really is one of the world’s great wonders, and
2. Government needs to match their ambition in taking real action to protect it.

So, it was a great honour to share with them the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs plan. A plan that commits government to transform our energy system to 70% renewables by 2032 and 80% by 2035, to avoid dangerous climate change and safeguard our natural wonders for generations yet to come.

New legislation introduced in Cairns Regional Parliament this week brings Queensland another step closer to safeguarding the state’s natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Areas, from the impacts of climate change and fossil fuels.

The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 will ensure Queensland has the policy settings in place to lead our energy export partners, including Japan and South Korea, on their journey to net-zero.

The Bill will mean Queensland’s construction, operation and safe management of hydrogen projects and other renewable gas pipelines are well established – turning the industry into a powerhouse of opportunity for jobs, climate, and export potential.

This Bill is the key to unlocking the next frontier in Queensland’s energy exports – supporting up to 10,000 jobs and $33 billion in economic activity by 2040.

Green hydrogen will be a game changer in decarbonising heavy haulage, shipping, aviation and industry, and will also slash emissions, help tackle climate change and safeguard natural tourism wonders for generations to come.

And in Queensland, we’re already proving green hydrogen in not a pipe dream, it’s a pipeline of opportunity.

• A pipeline of skilled workers, building their careers in the new industries of our regional centres,
• A pipeline of renewable energy exports, funding new schools, hospitals, roads, and essential services, and
• A pipeline of real action on climate change, slashing emissions in heavy haulage, shipping, aviation, and manufacturing.

This opportunity is recognised in the Albanese Government’s 2023/24 federal budget with the $2 billion “Hydrogen Headstart” to help bridge the commercial gap for early-stage projects and positions Australia and Queensland as the world leader in hydrogen production and export.

The $38.2 million commitment to establish a national Guarantee of Origin scheme will cement Queensland’s reputation as a clean energy superpower, directly complimenting our advantages in producing cheap, clean green hydrogen.

Queensland is already leading the charge in the hydrogen sector, with more than 50 hydrogen projects currently underway across the state, led by Stanwell Energy’s mega $12.4 billion Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub at Gladstone Port expected to deliver almost 9000 jobs and $17.2 billion in exports.

Also in Gladstone, Fortescue Future Industries Green Energy Manufacturing Centre will be Australia’s first multi-gigawatt-scale electrolyser manufacturing facility and the largest electrolyser facility in the world.

In Townsville, the team behind the region’s largest employer, Ark Energy, have revealed the next big jobs opportunity with their flagship Han Ho H2 Hub. The nearby ports of Townsville and Abbot Point could fulfil the total targeted demand of South Korea’s imports in 2030.

Queensland is at the epicentre of not only Australia’s energy transformation but enabling our trading partners to also reach their net zero ambitions.

Our global partners recognise this. They are coming to Queensland as the best opportunity to help decarbonise their own economies because they recognise we have all the key resources required to get them there:

• Abundant sunshine, wind and water
• Publicly owned key infrastructure such as ports and transmission, and
• The skills, experience, and policy settings required to stand up a new energy export industry.

And while we’re helping to decarbonise the world, we’re taking real action on climate change – protecting our magnificent natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics.

We’re ensuring these wonders are around for generations to come and to support the inspiring people and businesses that protect and care for them and allow us all to be inspired by their natural beauty and abundance.

When it comes to green hydrogen, it really is Queensland’s time to shine.