The Han-Ho H2 Consortium is taking its export-scale green hydrogen hub project in North Queensland from concept to feasibility study following the signing of a landmark Heads of Agreement during the Premier’s investment mission in Korea.
The study has received an $8.5 million investment from the Queensland government as part of an effort to transform Abbot Point into a hydrogen export super hub.
The Heads of Agreement formalises the partnership between Korea and Australia, spearheading one of the first major projects in Queensland to export green ammonia to Korea and establishing a green energy corridor between the two countries.
The consortium consists of Australia-based company Ark Energy and its parent company Korea Zinc, as well as Korean conglomerates Hanhwa Impact and SK Gas.
The planned green hydrogen hub in Queensland is expected to manufacture up to 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia per year and will support the development of up to 4.5 GW at Ark Energy’s Collinsville Green Energy Hub, the state government said in a media release.
Funding from the Queensland government is intended to accelerate the master planning, development and infrastructure arrangements that are needed for Abbot Point to become a hydrogen export super hub including planning for the water and power supplies needed to produce hydrogen at scale in North Queensland.
The project is expected to help position Townsville as a critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing powerhouse with Korea Zinc’s Sun Metals green industrial precinct and Ark Energy’s SunHQ Hydrogen Hub supporting the expansion of critical minerals supply chains and the domestic hydrogen industry.
“Working in collaboration with the Han-Ho H2 Consortium, we will transform the state into a renewable energy powerhouse, delivering clean, reliable and affordable power for generations and providing good, secure jobs for the future,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Korea Zinc group will support Townsville to become a world leader in critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing including through the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub,” the Premier added.
