Japanese energy giant ENOES opens a new green hydrogen production facility at Bulwer Island, Brisbane.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles stated that the new milestone is a step towards Queensland’s becoming a global leader in renewable energy.
“Working with international partners will play a critical role in Queensland’s journey as we develop a world-class, sustainable and competitive hydrogen industry,” Minister Miles said.
Minister Miles added that work by companies like ENEOS is critical as Queensland strives towards net zero emissions by 2050 – and the economic benefits that come 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,” Minister Miles stated.
According to the Minister, the project will advance Queensland’s efforts to become a global energy giant, guided by the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
ENEOS will generate green hydrogen using its proprietary electrolysis technology (Direct MCH®), fueled by renewable energy generated on-site by a 250-kilowatt solar system.
The hydrogen will be created as methylcyclohexane (MCH), which can be stored and transported as a liquid before being converted back to hydrogen in Japan.
It is the first project to get funding from the Japanese government’s $24 billion Green Innovation Fund, which seeks to assist Japan in reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
ENEOS is looking into other locations in Queensland for future stages of development.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said ENOES’ investment showcases the plethora of prospects available in Queensland’s renewables industry to the rest of the world.
“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,” Treasurer Dick stated.
According to Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni, Queensland’s green hydrogen sector represented the biggest prospect for job creation, carbon reduction, and economic development 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.
Minister de Brenni stated that the Queensland Government is sending a strong message to the world that it intends to be a worldwide participant in providing 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,” Minister de Brenni added.
A 204-megawatt solar farm at Edenvale in the Western Downs is also being built by ENEOS, sustaining 400 jobs in rural Queensland during development.
ENEOS Executive Vice President Tomohide Miyata expressed his company’s delight in moving forward with the green hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Queensland. Miyata also stated that this technology would be transformative in developing a hydrogen supply chain.
ENEOS Senior Vice President Yuichiro Fujiyama said the demonstration of this technology is a significant step forward, and ENEOS plans to increase the scope of this initiative in the near future.
