The official energy and hydrogen supplier for the Tokyo Olympics will be launching a report into the establishment of a commercial scale, carbon-dioxide-free hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Queensland.
Japan’s largest oil company, ENEOS Corporation, which holds about 50% market share of petrol sales in Japan, will study one of the latest hydrogen transport and storage technologies called methylcyclohexane (MCH).
It comes after the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with ENEOS Corporation senior executives during her trip to Tokyo to secure the 2032 Olympics.
“This is an exciting development for Queensland as we are working hard to develop our sustainable hydrogen industry and leverage the solar resources already developed and to be developed in the future,” the Premier said.
“Since the launch of Queensland hydrogen strategy during my trade mission to Japan in 2018, we have seen a number of Japanese companies interested in developing Qld hydrogen industry with us.”
ENEOS already owns petroleum tankers, storage tanks and refineries used for export, which are expected to be used as the hydrogen supply chain develops and owns its own import terminals in Japan where they are looking to dehydrogenate.
The Japanese company recently announced the start of construction on the 204MWdc solar project at Edenvale on the Western Downs – one of the largest Japanese solar investments in Australia which will create 400 jobs in the construction phase for regional Queensland.
Queensland Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said Queenslanders had a strong history of developing export industries.
“Australia’s hydrogen industry is expected to contribute at least $11b to the national economy and generate around 7600 jobs by 2050,” he said.
“We’re making sure Queensland is in prime position to take advantage of this huge opportunity.
“Our location on Australia’s east coast is also a bonus – with close proximity to key Asian markets, including Japan, where hydrogen demand is expected to be high.”
Queensland’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for Japan, Tak Adachi, said ENEOS’s latest project was another vote of confidence in Queensland’s renewables future.
“The company has great faith in Queensland and what we are capable of as an investment state with rich and sustainable resources,” he said.
“This is significant for the development of a carbon-dioxide free hydrogen industry.”
The Premier has travelled to Japan on official visits five times, the most recent being this year.
In 2020, Japan was Queensland’s second-largest goods export destination, valued at $8.2b, representing 13% of Queensland’s total goods exports and almost 19% of Australia’s total goods exports with Japan.
