State and federal energy ministers agreed to evaluate Australia’s national hydrogen strategy at the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council’s first meeting on Friday.
The conference statement states that the review will “ensure the national plan positions Australia on a path to be a global hydrogen leader by 2030 on both an export basis and for the decarbonisation of Australian industries”.
The conference communique will focus on the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and worldwide hydrogen industry policies since the strategy was issued three years ago. The IRA includes US$369 billion for “energy security and climate change” and a US$3 per kilogram hydrogen production tax credit.
Dr. Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council, said that “competition for hydrogen projects is fierce” globally.
Dr. Alan Finkel, former top scientist and government special adviser on low emissions technology, developed the previous hydrogen strategy three years ago.
Australia’s hydrogen pipeline is the most expensive. Australia would be the leading hydrogen exporter by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency’s October 2022 hydrogen pipeline snapshot.
According to the statement, the Government will “drive progression of priority offshore zones in a timely manner” in a cross-jurisdictional working group on offshore renewable energy development in Australia.
Ministers reached additional carbon reduction and energy price management agreements. This involves the creation of a decarbonisation working group and Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment.
Hunter Valley, NSW hosted the first ECMC meeting. May’s Northern Territory meeting will follow.
