The Hydrogen and Mines Summit brought has together almost 200 delegates to explore the opportunities renewable hydrogen presents for the mining sector.
The summit was attended by representatives from a number of global companies, including FMG, BHP, Baker Hughes GE, ENGIE, Rio Tinto, South 32, ATCO, Woodside, Caltex and Yara.
Applications for hydrogen in the mining sector include fuel substitution, renewables integration and power supply, and the commercialisation of renewable hydrogen technologies.
State regional development minister Alannah MacTiernan said that, with the challenges presented by climate change, the renewable hydrogen agenda presents Western Australia with a real opportunity to accelerate emissions reduction and diversify our economy.
“Western Australia has an opportunity to lead the hydrogen transformation race. Renewable hydrogen can cut mining’s reliance on costly diesel imports, whilst developing a new, sustainable industry,” MacTiernan said.
“The generation of power through locally produced hydrogen will open up great opportunities in regional Western Australia.”
The McGowan government said that it is actively exploring the potential for a renewable hydrogen industry in WA and what needs to be done to position the state to be able to respond to and meet the growing global demand.
“Some of our key trading partners, including Japan, Singapore and South Korea, are signalling their intentions to import low emission hydrogen to help transition away from fossil fuels and increase energy security,” MacTiernan said.
“Western Australia is well positioned to take advantage of this potential multibillion dollar industry, and the race is on with other countries positioning themselves to become major exporters of renewable hydrogen.”